Gun fired on £1.9bn framework for final A9 dualling sections

Transport Scotland has published a prior information notice (PIN) for a £1.9bn delivery framework covering the remaining sections of the A9 Dualling Programme, following a ministerial announcement confirming the route will be delivered using capital funding.

The Scottish Government’s 2026 Delivery Plan, announced by cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop, confirms that the remaining five projects between Perth and Inverness will be procured under a new four-year framework agreement.

The approach is intended to streamline procurement and provide long-term visibility for the market.

The framework will be Transport Scotland’s preferred route to market for completing the programme, which is scheduled to finish by the end of 2035. All contracts will follow a design-and-build procurement route and are expected to use the NEC4 form of contract.

The PIN, published on 14 January, outlines the sections to be delivered:

• Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing (8.4km)
• Killiecrankie to Glen Garry (22km)
• Glen Garry to Crubenmore (20.5km)
• Crubenmore to Kincraig (16.5km)
• Dalraddy to Slochd (25km)

All works will upgrade existing road to dual two-lane all-purpose carriageway, compliant with D2APc standards, and will include bridges, junctions, culverts and other associated infrastructure.

The contract notice is expected to be published by 23 March , with appointments to the framework due by the end of that year. A market consultation process will begin on 19 January and a virtual industry event is also planned. The lotting structure of the framework has not been finalised and will be informed by feedback from this process.

Hyslop said the framework would help secure capacity in the contracting sector and provide communities and road users with greater confidence in the plan to complete dualling by 2035.

David Macdonald, chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Scotland, welcomed the use of capital funding for the remaining sections, saying it gave contractors greater certainty and visibility of opportunities.

The government said the updated delivery plan would also accelerate construction of junctions serving Aviemore and Carrbridge, with Dalraddy to Slochd now set to complete by 2032, creating a 60.5km continuous dual carriageway between Inverness and Kincraig.

Sources: Public Contracts Scotland notice and Transport Scotland press release