Shortlisted contractors named for fifth part of the A9 Dualling Programme

The shortlist of contractors for building of the fifth part of the A9 – from Pitlochry to Killiecrankie – is confirmed because the dualling programme continues to assemble tempo.

The three contractors taking part within the subsequent stage of the competitors for the contract to improve roughly 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) of the A9 to twin carriageway are:

• Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd
• Kier Transportation Ltd
• Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop welcomed this information, saying,

“The Government is continuous to satisfy the deliberate milestones in our Delivery Plan for completion of the A9 Dualling Programme.  This subsequent part within the procurement course of will see an intensive interval of ongoing discussions as every of the contractors work to refine their define design proposals. This is a part of our strategy to drive worth for cash for the Scottish taxpayer.

“We expect to award this contract in Autumn next year and when construction is complete for this section it is anticipated that almost 50% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will be dualled, demonstrating this Government’s commitment to complete this vital infrastructure improvement.”

The £205 million (estimated at Q2 2025 costs) Pitlochry to Killiecrankie challenge entails constructing or upgrading 9 bridges, together with a considerable new crossing of the River Tummel alongside the present Tummel Bridge; a brand new bridge alongside the present Clunie Bridge over Loch Faskally; and a brand new rail bridge over the Highland Mainline Railway. The part additionally contains provision for secure strolling and wheeling crossing factors and improved entry for non-motorised person journey routes, together with the Rob Roy Way.

Over the approaching months, contributors will participate in a interval of dialogue, on the finish of which they are going to be invited to submit ultimate tenders.  Contract award is anticipated to be made in Autumn 2026 following analysis of the ultimate tenders and dualling is anticipated to be operational by the tip of 2030.

The Pitlochry to Killiecrankie challenge would be the third contract within the A9 Dualling Programme to be delivered utilizing Transport Scotland’s amended NEC4 Engineering and Construction contract.  The contract for this challenge will even function a carbon discount fund, which is a capped fund that may be drawn on by the profitable contractor to offer extra monetary assist to attain reductions in carbon emissions that will in any other case be uneconomic.

The challenge goals to depart a significant and lasting legacy for native communities by fostering inclusive financial progress and social worth. This contains creating coaching and growth alternatives, selling honest working practices and wellbeing for all personnel concerned, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises by means of native subcontracting. The challenge additionally seeks to ship instructional advantages to native faculties by means of initiatives just like the Academy9 programme, which connects pupils with real-world infrastructure studying experiences.