‘Accelerating’ A9 dualling would not cut project time

The report did acknowledge there may be scope for the Dalnaspidal Junction section – which will involve extending the Glen Garry dual carriageway north by about 0.6 miles (1km) – to be brought forward from its current completion date in 2025.

The Tomatin to Moy stretch, which was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2027, has been pushed back to 2028.

The total cost of upgrading that single carriageway section, which covers a distance of about six miles (10km), is expected to run to £308m – about £111m more than previously estimated.

Hyslop said “real progress” was already being made on the project.

She added that a £5m package of new short-term safety measures would be put in place by the end of March this year.

“I believe that the report demonstrates that the delivery plan is a robust and practical approach to undertaking this large programme of work in the years ahead,” she said.

“We are already making real progress in delivering on the plan.

“In the next few months, I expect to see main construction work start on the Tomatin to Moy project, publication of draft orders for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing project, contract award for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project and commencement of procurement for the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie project.

“The A9 safety group will continue to work together to explore any measures to positively influence driver behaviour to help reduce the numbers of people being injured or killed on the road.”