Transport Scotland has started the contract race for the next section of the A9 Dualling programme.

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project has now been published alerting contractors and their supply chains to the next opportunity on the project.

The £155m contract will be procured as a design and build deal and involves upgrading approximately 8.2km of existing single carriageway, commencing just north of the Jubilee Bridge over the river Tay and ending at the southern end of the existing dual carriageway south of Ballinluig Junction.

Procurement for dualling the A9 between Tomatin and Moy is currently underway and award of that contract is expected this summer with construction starting on site shortly after.

The contract award for the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project is planned for Summer 2025.

A programme of advance works will be undertaken in the coming months to help reduce risks to the main construction contract. These works will involve a variety of activities including ground investigation, archaeological works, environmental mitigation and utility diversions.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “This Government is committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness and today’s publication of the Prior Information Notice for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project further demonstrates our commitment to the delivery plan we announced in December 2023, which aims to complete dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035.

“This step builds further momentum in our progress towards increased construction activity and is further tangible evidence of our commitment to completing the A9 Dualling programme.

“In addition to this positive announcement, we remain on track to award the contract for A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy in early Summer this year.

“We will deliver a safe, reliable, resilient and dualled A9 and we will ensure there is no let up on progressing the work of the Programme until then.”

Publication of the contract notice, formally commencing the procurement of the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project is planned in Spring 2024, with a contract award expected in Summer 2025.