Consulting engineers have been invited to bid for the contract for a 26-mile stretch of the A96 from east of Huntly to Aberdeen. The design contract is expected to be awarded later this year.
The contract covers the eastern section of the Scottish government’s programme to dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen by 2030. The design work for the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme is well advanced with draft orders published in November 2016.
In addition, route option design and assessment work for the western section, covering the stretch between Hardmuir and Fochabers is now under way.
Scottish government cabinet secretary Keith Brown said: “This major contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that will bring to the northeast and the Highland’s including improved journey time and reliability, improved connectivity and improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting Scotland’s two most northerly cities.
“When this contract is awarded later this year, design work for the eastern section will step up a gear with route option assessment work getting underway. This contract will also provide the successful bidders with steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work, so it will be a boost for the local and national economy.”
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