Contract awarded for £6 million A9 upgrade in the far north

Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson has today welcomed the contract award for the delivery of a major A9 upgrade in the far north of Scotland.

RJ MacLeod has secured the 12-month contract to construct 2.1 kilometres of new trunk road at Helmsdale in Caithness to replace the existing section which has poor alignment and no overtaking opportunities.

Mr Stevenson said:

“This is vital work which will improve safety on the A9. It will bring economic benefits to both the north of Scotland and the northern Isles, bringing improved connections for locals, businesses and tourists, as well as providing an important link with the Scrabster ferry terminal.

“Far north communities will be delighted that this multi-million pound investment in their infrastructure is moving forward.

“Last week we saw work begin on the Ballinluig stretch of the A9, now we are seeing a contract being awarded for work to begin on the Helmsdale stretch. Both of these schemes have road safety on the A9 at their very heart - a key priority for this Scottish government.

“I said that I would look at doing everything I can on the immediate priorities for investment to tackle the death toll on this road in the short term, and that is exactly what we are doing. In the long term, we still remain absolutely committed to plan for dualling of the A9.

“This Government is committed to having a safer and more efficient transport network that helps to build a stronger economy for Scotland.”

The Helmsdale scheme will construct 2.1 kilmetres of new road between East Helmsdale in the South and Allt Briste in the North.

A new roundabout will be constructed at the southern end of the scheme that will allow safe access to properties at Navidale, while new junctions will be provided to Navidale Cemetery Road and Navidale House Hotel. To the north, overtaking provision will be provided along a 280 metre section that will tie in to the previously constructed Helmsdale phase 1 scheme.

The de-trunked section of the A9 being replaced by the scheme will become a footway, cycleway and access track.

Work is due to start at the end of August. Drivers are asked to show due care while work is being delivered, particularly at the southern end of the scheme where the roundabout will be constructed.

A £15 million junction improvement on the A9 at Ballinluig, Perthshire is now underway, while a £29 million package for the lower Highlands section of the A9 to the south of Aviemore is programmed to take place in coming years to deliver overtaking and maintenance upgrades.