Final A9 Upgrade Contract Awarded
Transport Scotland say the £40 million contract for the 20-mile stretch of the main route north between Dalraddy and Inverness has been awarded to a joint venture between Atkins and Mouchel.
The last firm to secure one of three multimillion-pound design contracts for the A9 dualling project has been announced.
The £40 million contract for the 20-mile stretch of the main route north between Dalraddy and Inverness has been awarded to a joint venture between Atkins and Mouchel, Transport Scotland said.
Earlier this year, engineering firm Jacobs was handed a similar contract for the road between the Pass of Birnam and Glen Garry, while CH2MHill/Fairhurst is working on the Glen Garry to Dalraddy section.
Most of the notorious road is single carriageway, with the Scottish Government having pledged to upgrade it to dual carriageway by 2025 with a £3 billion project.
Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said more than 200 people are now working on the design programme, with nearly 40 additional jobs for young graduates, apprentices and students to be created.
Mr Brown said: "The appointment of the final design contractor for the mammoth A9 dualling project marks another significant milestone. "The £120 million we are investing in its detailed design, coupled with the start of construction on the first section to be dualled expected next summer, underlines our determination to deliver the entire 80-mile dualling programme by 2025. "The programme is also securing jobs here in Scotland and opening up new opportunities for our young people looking to start their careers.''
Atkins/Mouchel will start work on the section of the route nearest to Inverness next month.