The Scottish government has announced three contenders for a significant contract in the A9 dualling project, reflecting its commitment to advancing infrastructure.
- Balfour Beatty, Wills Bros and John Graham are competing for the £155m contract on the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section.
- The contract involves crucial tasks such as designing, constructing, and maintaining an 8.2km road section.
- Scotland’s cabinet secretary for transport showcases the complex nature of work through past awarding experiences with Balfour Beatty.
- The project aims to realise a dualled A9 by 2035, addressing past delays and unexpected costs.
In a significant move, the Scottish government has shortlisted three firms for the upcoming phase of the A9 dualling project, one of the nation’s largest infrastructure undertakings, valued at £3.7bn. This announcement underscores a continued commitment to the country’s infrastructure development.
The firms in contention for the £155 million contract include Balfour Beatty, Wills Bros, and John Graham. These companies are vying to undertake the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section in central Scotland, a project initially advertised last May. The successful bidder will be responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of an 8.2-kilometre stretch of road, which includes the construction of seven junctions, two bridges, a roundabout, and various access roads.
This development follows the recent success of Balfour Beatty, which secured a £185 million contract for another section of the A9 between Tomatin and Moy. The complexity and magnitude of the work involved are considerable, as evidenced by the cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, who acknowledged the intricate nature of the tasks required to meet the project’s demands following a direct meeting with Balfour Beatty representatives.
The A9 dualling project was initially set for completion by 2025 when it was first pledged in 2011. However, timeline adjustments have pushed its completion to 2035. These delays were compounded by issues such as a lack of competitive bids, with only one bid received for the Tomatin to Moy section, which was also significantly over budget according to former transport minister Jenny Gilruth.
Despite these setbacks, the recent shortlist underscores the Scottish government’s steadfast determination to deliver the improved transportation link between Perth and Inverness. Fiona Hyslop reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a ‘safe, reliable, resilient and dualled A9,’ adhering to the revised delivery expectations.
The Scottish government remains resolute in advancing the A9 dualling project amidst past setbacks, aiming for completion in 2035.
