Towards the end of 2024, we attended RoadExpo Scotland to gain important insights into the Scottish road industry
Insights included a presentation on the plans for the upcoming A9 Dualling Delivery programme. This was valuable for shaping our understanding of the complexities and demands of the large programme of works and will be useful in advising our clients interested in bidding on this procurement.
The A9 dualling is one of the largest projects in Transport Scotland’s pipeline, with a £3.7 billion delivery plan, making it one of the largest road infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.
Future-proofing the A9
The presentation emphasised the importance of restructuring to adapt the A9 to the increasing volume of traffic on our roads, improving road safety and journey times. Restructuring will keep the Highlands and the Central Belt well connected – vital as one of Scotland’s most important transport links and key to economic growth in the country.
The programme involves dualling 11 projects that have been developed individually. In December 2023, a delivery plan for the completion of the A9 dualling was announced in the Scottish Parliament. This plan will use a combination of design and build contracts and, subject to further decision-making in late 2025, mutual investment model (MIM) contracts (a type of public private partnership) to complete dualling works.
In the A9 delivery programme, continuous construction will take place until 2035, with projects carried out and completed on a rolling basis. The programme is split into three sections and 11 individual projects (two of which have already been completed). Each section is based on geographical location:
- South – this section encompasses four projects, all of which are design and build contracts. Luncarty to Pass of Burnam has already been completed in this section
- Central – this section encompasses three projects
- North – this section encompasses four projects, two of which are design and build contracts with one already completed, and two which are intended to be delivered through the MIM; Kincraig to Dalraddy has already been completed in the North section.
MIM contracts originate from the Welsh model used to fund major public projects, in which both the contractor and end client fund part of the project. It will be decided in late 2025 whether MIM contracts will be used for the sections of the programme in the North, or if they will transition into design and build contracts.
Looking forward to the year ahead
Following the update, the following projects will be the focus of the A9 Dualling Delivery programme:
- Tomatin to Moy: an NEC4 contract was awarded in July of 2024 to Balfour Beatty. Works will commence in March 2025, with dualling expected to be completed at the end of 2027.
- Tay Crossing to Ballinluige: the design and build contract was published in May 2024 and is to be awarded in summer 2025, with this section of the dual carriageway to be operational at the end of 2028.
- Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing: spring 2025 is the aim for the draft orders to be published for this section. Once the preferred route is decided the design process will likely become a co-creative process between Transport Scotland and the impacted communities in this area. Procurement will commence in summer 2027, and the contract is expected to be awarded in autumn 2028.
- Aviemore to Carrbridge: the planning application will be submitted in the next six months.
- Pitlochry to Killiecrankie: preparations have begun for the commencement of the procurement in summer 2025 and the contract will be awarded in autumn 2026.
Setting the programme goal of making the A9 safe, reliable and resilient
Transport Scotland’s approach to dualling the A9 focuses primarily on stakeholder engagement, which they embed into all related contracts. Social value plays a central role, with Transport Scotland developing a social value programme as part of the A9 dualling programme. They aim to achieve a legacy of decarbonisation and to deliver projects benefitting the communities affected by the works.
The A9 dualling programme introduced the Academy 9 initiative, an educational initiative linked to the programme but not exclusive to schools within the A9 corridor. Recognising the power of partnerships between industry and education, Academy 9 is building a legacy of STEM skills and achievements through a series of events, activities and experiences, providing future generations with the opportunity to learn both hard and soft skills and consider STEM-related careers.
The presentation emphasised that dualling is the long-term solution. However, Transport Scotland is implementing and rolling out £5 million worth of short-term safety measures such as improved road markings.