Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, has announced the Scottish Government’s intention to award Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd the contract to dual the A9 between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie.
The proposed £220m investment covers a 6.4km section of the route. The contract award remains subject to the successful completion of a mandatory standstill period.
Jobs and supply-chain opportunities
The project is expected to support 60 full-time equivalent jobs, including 17 graduate roles, 11 apprenticeships and eight positions for new entrants. It is also forecast to create around £33m of opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises and suppliers.
When completed, the scheme will provide new grade-separated junctions, active travel routes and flood mitigation measures. It is intended to help ensure that 50% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness is dual carriageway by 2030.
“This contract award marks another significant milestone in the Scottish Government’s £3.97 billion investment to dual the A9. This is an investment in Scotland’s future. Alongside delivering a safer and more resilient A9, this contract will create jobs, develop skills, provide opportunities for local businesses and invest directly in the communities it serves,” said Flynn.
He added: “By continuing to invest in the A9, we are improving connections between communities, supporting economic growth across the Highlands and helping to build the infrastructure Scotland needs to prosper for generations to come.”
Advance works underway
Advance works are already taking place around the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie area. They include archaeological investigations, tree felling and the demolition of vacant properties ahead of the main construction phase.