Start of works on the first section of the A9 to be dualled between Perth and Inverness has been brought forward by six months to next summer, after Transport Scotland identified financial savings from other projects.

The Scottish Government has put a £50M contract out to tender for an 8km scheme between Kincraig and Dalraddy in the Cairngorms, the first of 12 phases on a 130km, £3Bn programme to dual the A9.

This earlier works start follows expected savings from the Queensferry Crossing project over the Forth, along with progress of the statutory order making process on the Kincraig to Dalraddy project.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness is a huge challenge and we are determined to make early wins.

"I want to drive forward improvements to Scotland’s longest and arguably most important trunk road, and am pressing everyone working on the A9 – both short and long term programmes – to get on and deliver early benefits to users of the road as soon as is practicably possible.”

Short term programmes of work to address safety issues on the A9 are currently on going with the installation of average speed cameras between Perth and Inverness nearing completion.

Elsewhere in Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced that trains will be operational on the Borders Railway from 6 September 2015. This £294M project will deliver seven new stations and create a 50km rail link between Tweedbank and Edinburgh.

(Photo: Inverness Trucker)

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