A9 dualling project starts

Work on the £3 billion A9 dualling programme in Scotland has got underway today (10 September).

The ambitious programme will see around 80 miles of upgraded road being delivered between Perth and Inverness by 2025, with work starting today on the five-mile long section between Kincraig and Dalraddy. This is expected to be complete by summer 2017.

Cabinet Secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities, Keith Brown (pictured) said: “It is no understatement to say that we are marking an important milestone in what will be one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.

“I am very proud that the Scottish government is delivering this major upgrade and, in the weeks and months ahead, people will now see work on the ground as the road progresses.

“When this ambitious programme is complete, enormous economic and social benefits will be felt by communities along the length of the road, and beyond.

“With nearly three quarters of a million tonnes of excavation work to be carried out on this section here at Kincraig alone, we are at the start of a long journey to deliver the entire programme. But we are committed to this programme and we will remain focussed to ensure this work which is now at the hard end of construction, is seen through to a successful conclusion.”

The £35 million Kincraig-Dalraddy contract includes upgrading a five-mile stretch of single carriageway to dual carriageway and will be carried out by a joint venture of Wills Bros Civil Engineering and John Paul Construction.

Delivering the project requires over 700,000 tonnes of excavation and will see the contractor lay over 18 hectares of new road carriageway, the equivalent of 25 full size football pitches.