Significant milestone as four more A9 Dualling schemes between Perth and Inverness given approval
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A significant milestone has been reached as four sections of the A9 road between Inverness and Perth have been given the go-ahead for dualling by Scottish ministers.
The work to prepare Made Orders for these four schemes totalling over 35 km is well underway with publication expected over the coming months.
The four sections are: the 8.2km stretch between the Tay Crossing and Ballinluig; the 6.4km section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie; the 9.5km between Glen Garry and Dalwhinnie; and 11km Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore section.
Organisers are also expecting public local inquiry reports to be submitted to Scottish Ministers for a further three schemes in the coming months – subject to positive decisions from the public local inquiry process on these three schemes this would pave the way for completing the statutory processes for approximately 92 per cent of the programme.
The design work for the remaining scheme, between Pass of Birnam and Tay Crossing, is also continuing following the process with the local community and it is expected the preferred option for this stretch of the route will be shared with communities and road users, later this year.
Michael Matheson, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: “This government remains committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness, one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.
“Hot on the heels of publishing Made Orders for the most northerly scheme between Tomatin and Moy, we are pushing forward with the necessary preparatory work to progress the publication of Made Orders for four more schemes with a total length of over 35 km.
“At the same time, to help inform the future delivery plans for the dualling programme, we are engaging with industry representatives to ensure that the remainder of the programme, including these four schemes, is delivered effectively and efficiently.
“This engagement will balance the considerable benefits of the programme against financial risk and any impacts on local communities. We expect this process to conclude in summer 2021.”
