The Scottish Government has published draft orders for the penultimate section of its programme to upgrade the A9 between Perth and Inverness as it finalises the design of the last section.
It said publication of draft orders for the Crubenmore to Kincraig scheme means that eight of the remaining nine schemes at design stage have reached draft order stage.
Road users and residents on or near this section of the route can see the plans at public exhibitions next month.
Transport Scotland said it hopes to identify a preferred option for the ‘challenging’ Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section – the last scheme at design stage – later this year.
Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, said the Scottish Government remains ‘on target’ to meet its commitment to dual the entire route by 2025.
He said: ‘The design work on the remaining parts of the dualling programme is progressing at pace. Hard on the heels of publishing draft orders for the Dalraddy to Slochd scheme last week, we have now done the same for the Crubenmore to Kincraig scheme. This means that eight of the remaining nine schemes have now reached that important milestone.
‘The last part of the dualling, through the Dunkeld and Birnam area, has been subject to a co-creative process and the community have identified their preferred route option.
‘Transport Scotland is now taking forward further design and assessment work on this option to develop it further and consult locally before submitting it to Scottish ministers for consideration.’
Last week the Scottish Government announced its intention to award the second construction contract on the programme – between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam – to Balfour Beatty.
The first section, from Kincraig to Dalraddy, became fully operational last year.
Traffex Road Expo Scotland and Bridges Scotland take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland on 31 October and 1 November 2018. For more information and to register for this FREE event, click here.
