Transport Scotland has rejected calls from MSPs to accelerate the dualling of the A9 motorway, citing concerns that such a move could jeopardize the project’s overall timeline and budget.
The decision follows a report from the citizen participation and public petitions committee, which urged Transport Scotland to prioritize the dualling of certain sections of the road. However, the transport body argued that speeding up the project could lead to increased costs, further delays, and disruption to motorists.
The A9 dualling project, which aims to upgrade 77 miles of single-carriageway road between Inverness and Perth, has faced numerous challenges, including rising costs and delays. The original completion date of 2025 was recently pushed back to 2035.
Transport Scotland emphasized that the current schedule is “robust and practical” and that any attempts to accelerate the project could jeopardize its overall success. While the possibility of bringing forward the completion of the Dalnaspidal Junction section is being explored, the agency stressed that the current scheduling approach offers the most efficient and timely completion of the entire project.
The A9 dualling project remains a significant undertaking, with an estimated total cost of £3 billion. Despite the challenges, Transport Scotland maintains that “real progress” is being made on the project.
This decision comes as the Scottish Government continues to prioritize the improvement of road safety and connectivity across the country.