Work to start early on £3bn A9 upgrade

A £3 BILLION project to dual a major Scottish road is to start two years early.

Work to dual the A9 – one of Scotland’s deadliest roads – from Inverness to Perth is set to start in 2015 instead of 2017.

However, the scheme to upgrade the 80-mile stretch is unlikely to be completed before 2025.

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil said the project would improve road safety and boost tourism. He said: “The A9 is the longest trunk road in Scotland and we have always said delivery by 2025 was achievable.”

He added Transport Scotland officials would develop the construction schemes and begin the statutory processes within the next year.