TWO Irish firms have won the first major contract awarded in Scotland’s plans to upgrade a five-mile stretch of the A9 from a single to a dual carriageway.
A joint tender by Irish firms Wills Bros Civil Engineering and John Paul Construction proved successful with Transport Scotland this week – with the venture costing £15million less than the Scottish government agency’s original estimate of £50million.
Map of the planned A9 dualling project route in ScotlandWills and John Paul fought off competition from the likes of BAM Nuttall/John Sisk and Morrison Construction to win the first project of the intended £3bn dualling programme.
Their work upgrading the five mile stretch between Kincraig and Dalraddy in the Highlands is expected to start this year.
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Keith Brown said: “The Scottish Government’s ambitious programme for the A9 between Perth to Inverness is now well underway with dualling set to start on this first section shortly and designs now at various stages along the route.
“The ground investigations due to start next month between Glen Garry and Dalraddy will also help inform the ongoing design work for the central section of the A9.”
He added: “We have been able to again make considerable savings on one of our infrastructure projects due to our robust procurement process which ensures that all the efficiencies that can be put in place have been implemented.”
