Mackay sees latest A9 Dualling work

As part of this £3 billion investment, phase two of the ground investigation work now underway for the 7.5km section between Kincraig and Dalraddy, will provide construction companies bidding for the £50m contract with more detailed information on the ground conditions.

Construction work on the Kincraig-Dalraddy scheme is expected to start this summer.

Transport Minister, Derek Mackay said:

“The Scottish Government has made dualling of the A9 a priority – I am proud that we are the first administration ever to do so – and I am delighted to see ground investigation work underway ahead of construction starting this summer. After years of talk about the A9 upgrade, regular road users will soon see that investment being delivered.

“Making the A9 safer is our key priority as work to upgrade Scotland’s longest trunk road progresses – with one of our safety measures already showing positive changes to driver behaviour.

“The first data sets have been published this week since average speed cameras were installed and we have noted overall speeding has reduced, with excessive speeding down by 97%. Journey time reliability has also improved, and hauliers are reporting significant reductions in their journey times.

“These improvements should be welcomed and in addition to these safety measures, we are the first government to make the £3 billion commitment to dual the A9 from Perth to Inverness which will further improve the safety record of this road.

“The next phase of ground investigation work on the Kincraig-Dalraddy scheme will give more detailed information for construction companies bidding to build this section of upgraded road. Construction work which is due to start this summer will mark the beginning of a series of major upgrades amounting to around 130km of new upgraded road.

“Despite a 26 per cent cut to our Cabinet Budget by the UK Treasury, we are delivering on our commitment to dual the A9 as early as possible having already brought this scheme forward by around six months. This latest milestone on the Kincraig to Dalraddy section demonstrates the rapid progress being made and, notwithstanding the major challenges the scheme presents, we will continue to press for early wins as this unprecedented road improvement scheme moves ahead.”

Motorists travelling on the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy should be aware that there will be traffic restrictions in the area starting on Monday 2 February.

The traffic management will be in place during the day time, with lane closures and temporary traffic lights in use and a 30mph speed limit will be in force throughout the lane closures. It is anticipated that the traffic management will be in place until Monday 16 February.

It is expected that any delay to road users caused by this work will be minimal, however we apologise for any inconvenience caused and would ask road users and local communities for their patience over the next two weeks. The contractor will closely monitor the operation of the traffic management to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum and that any incidents on site are quickly dealt with.

The A9 is a vital strategic route linking central Scotland to Inverness and the Highlands and Islands. The Kincraig to Dalraddy project will be the first section of the A9 to be dualled as part of this programme, and will comprise of a predominantly on-line carriageway widening and pavement upgrade.

Upon completion, the improvement work will provide safer overtaking opportunities, reduce driver frustration, reduce the number of vehicle convoys and will support businesses, communities and tourism throughout Scotland by improving access to and from the Highlands.

Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd have been appointed, on behalf of Transport Scotland to carry out the ground investigation work.

Road users are encouraged to visit Traffic Scotland in advance of their journey to get the latest information on the traffic management arrangements.