Firms invited to bid for £50m A96 contract

Companies are being invited to bid for a contract to upgrade the A96 in Scotland that could be worth up to £50 million.  

The contract covers the eastern section of the Scottish Government’s programme to dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen by 2030. The design work for the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme is well advanced with draft orders published in November 2016.

Cabinet Secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, Keith Brown (pictured) said: “This major contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that will bring to the north-east and the Highland’s including improved journey time and reliability, improved connectivity and improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting Scotland’s two most northerly cities.

“When this contract is awarded later this year, design work for the eastern section will step up a gear with route option assessment work getting underway. This contract will also provide the successful bidders with steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work, so it will be a boost for the local and national economy.”