Major construction work gets underway between Tomatin and Moy
Major construction works get underway on the third section of the A9 Dualling Programme between Tomatin and Moy as the Scottish Government moves forward with its delivery plan. Momentum also continues across the programme with the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the fifth section, between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie today.
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, visited the Tomatin to Moy site today [30 April] to formally open the site compound and offices.
During the visit, Ms Hyslop saw some of the major works taking place to realign the Dalmagarry burn over the coming weeks. Local communities and stakeholders have been consulted on these complex works, including on ensuring that appropriate measures are being taken to protect the wildlife present including water voles.
The works to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy will involve:
- moving 1,000,000 cubic meters of material, excluding topsoil, equivalent to about 400 Olympic size swimming pools
- 32,000 tonnes material of pavement surfacing
- Construction of 4 structures (Tomatin Junction Underpass, Dalmagarry Bridge, Moy Bridge and Lynbeg Junction underpass)
- 10 km of new and improved non-motorised user routes
- Construction of 41 culverts
The £185m contract will also support social, economic and environmental outcomes for the local community as part of the A9 Dualling’s Social Value Programme. The Cabinet Secretary saw some of these benefits in action today, meeting two of Balfour Beatty’s graduate members of staff working on site to hear about the valuable experience they are gaining from the project, and attending a Bridge to Schools event delivered by Balfour Beatty with local pupils from Strathdearn Primary School. The event involved hands-on activities with pupils as they constructed a 13-metre long cable-stayed bridge whilst learning more about engineering principles and future careers.
Ms Hyslop said, “I am delighted that this major milestone in our A9 dualling programme has been reached. The scale of the work being undertaken on the Tomatin to Moy section is significant and it was good to see how planning has already been undertaken to address the variety of engineering challenges and to prepare the earthworks required to complete this vital project.
“It was great to hear about the benefits being gleaned by the graduates working on the site and to hear about the interesting work that they have been undertaking with our contractors on this section, Balfour Beatty. This includes work on how we can further decarbonise the project and mitigate impact on the environment as we press forward with construction.
“Seeing local primary school children benefitting from our investment today has illustrated the impact that major investment can have on our young people. I hope some of those pupils will be encouraged into a career within science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a result of today’s event.
“This tangible progress , alongside the publication of the PIN notice for the fifth section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie illustrates the real momentum taking place along the A9 corridor as we move forward with our delivery plan which will see the A9 between Perth and Inverness fully dualled by 2035.”
Transport Scotland’s Team Leader for the project, Stuart Baird said, “We are pleased to see construction beginning in earnest, and we are working closely with our contractors, Balfour Beatty to minimise disruption to road users as far as possible. I want to thank road users and the local community and businesses for their patience whilst these vital works are undertaken.”
Today also marks further progress for the programme with the publication of the Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the fifth section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie, alerting contractors and their supply chain of the upcoming procurement opportunity to dual the section. It is further evidence that the Scottish Government remains on track to meet the next milestones of the A9 Dualling delivery plan, with the contract notice for the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie section and contract award for the section between Tay Crossing to Ballinluig both expected in the coming months.
A9 Dualling is expected to improve safety, journey times and reliability of the A9 through provision of safer overtaking opportunities along the route. These improvements will reduce driver stress whilst improving journey times and overall operational effectiveness.
To contact the team, email: A9T2M@balfourbeatty.com.
For more information on the A9 Dualling Programme, visit www.a9dualling.scot
For further information regarding traffic management and live traffic up-dates, please refer to the Traffic Scotland website, www.trafficscotland.org