Two new A9 dualling projects for Perthshire

Framework agreements announced for new sections

Scottish Government has published framework agreements for two more stretches of A9 dualling in Perthshire which will see 30km of road upgraded over the next 8 years.

Prior Information Notices for the 8.4km Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section and the 22km Killiecrankie to Glen Garry stretch have been published by Transport Scotland on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

The estimated cost for the two sections, combined, will be over 1 billion pounds.

Interested Construction firms will now be invited into a market consultation exercise, with Transport Scotland obligating successful bidders to offer ‘social, environmental and economic’ benefits to Perthshire.

Restrictions

The Framework Agreements come at a time when work is already underway by Motherwell firm, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd, awardees of a £152.74m contract for their role in delivering the £257m dualling between Jubilee Bridge (north) and south Ballinluig.

Work is ongoing along that stretch, with 40mph average speed restrictions in place and an anticipated completion date of 2028 for the 8.2km stretch, with heavy flooding at present at Kindallachan due to persistent downpours.

In addition, successful bidders for the £205m Pitlochry to Killiecrankie section (6.4km) are expected by Autumn this year, with an outline completion date of 2030.

Announcing the agreements for the two new Perthshire stretches of dualling (alongside others), Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “This announcement maintains the Scottish Government commitment to having dualling operational between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035.”

Local benefits

Despite years of roadworks lying ahead on the A9, the projects are expected to bring significant benefits to local communities as well as improving safety on one of Scotland’s most notorious roads.

After vociferous campaigning by dualling advocates, Scottish Government reaffirmed its commitment in 2023 to dualling the A9 and has pledged that remaining stretches will come from the capital budget.

The Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing stretch will see new junctions at Birnam and Dalguise, a roundabout at Dunkeld and a new in-out junction at The Hermitage.

Building work will also include a new car park with improved access at Dunkeld and Birnam Train Station.

Building bridges

The Killiecrankie to Glen Garry section will see junctions at Aldclune, Bruar and Calvine and 2 new bridges over the Garry.

Survey work has been undertaken to ensure the ancient battlefield site at Killiecrankie is conserved during construction, with musket balls, buckles, horseshoes and buttons found during ground truthing.

Notifications for the projects say the dualling aims to build a ‘lasting legacy and encourage economic growth by offering a significant opportunity to improve the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the area in which it operates, with a particular focus on reducing inequality.”

The notices state that successful bidders will be expected to provide community benefits, to involve SMEs, third sector and businesses and to offer employment and training opportunities.