Ground investigation contracts awarded on A9 scheme

The Scottish Government has awarded contracts worth nearly £7m for ground investigation works on its £3bn Perth to Inverness A9 dualling programme.

BAM Ritchies will undertake the contract worth nearly £3m for the 10-mile stretch from Crubenmore to Kincraig.

Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd will carry out works worth approximately £3.8m for the two stretches from Pitlochry to Killiecrankie and Killiecrankie to Glen Garry -  totalling around 17 miles.

Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work said: ‘The A9 dualling programme between Perth and Inverness is one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history and we will shortly be starting further vital ground investigations that will support the ongoing design work. These latest significant ground investigation contracts will help inform the design work for three of the sections to be dualled.'

He added: ‘Over the next few months some of this work will take place on or near the live carriageway. In order to ensure the safety of both road workers and road users we will need to introduce traffic management arrangements.

‘Road users and local communities will be kept informed of our plans and we will endeavour to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum, recognising that there are on-going construction works between Kincraig and Dalraddy. Work on that section is progressing well and is expected to be completed this summer.’