Scottish Government reveals spend to date on dualling the A9
The Scottish Government has revealed that more than £430m has been spent on dualling the A9 so far.
The figure was confirmed by Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth as she announced £5m for improved safety measures on the road between Inverness and Perth.
An estimate of £3 billion was put on dualling the 80 miles of road when it was first announced in 2007.
So far only two sections of the 11-stage scheme are open to A9 motorists – between Kincraig and Dalraddy and Luncarty and Pass of Birnam in Perthshire.
Ms Gilruth said: “My sympathies are with everyone who has lost a loved one on Scotland’s roads and specifically on the A9 in recent months.
"One life lost on Scotland’s roads is one too many and as a Government it is imperative we respond to the devastating increase in fatalities on the A9 in recent months.
“This funding will provide a package of targeted measures, including road improvements and marketing for delivery between now and 2025.
"As an immediate intervention by April 2023 over £600,000 will be invested to improve road safety across the A9.
“As I’ve previously outlined in parliament, the Scottish Government is firmly committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
"We have already invested over £430 million to date delivering the dualling programme.
“Work is continuing across the A9, with road users already benefiting from the dualled stretch between Kincraig and Dalraddy and between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam, which opened in September 2017 and August 2021 respectively.
“We will continue our work to finalise the short term interventions for the A9 into the next financial year and beyond, with an intended programme of work valued at £5 million.
“I’m grateful to all partners, and particularly Police Scotland and BEAR Scotland, for their professionalism in responding to these recent incidents and their continued efforts to keep road users safe.”
