Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the (a) A9 and (b) A96 has been dualled since the start of the current parliamentary session in 2021 to date.
The A9 dualling programme will upgrade 83 miles (133 kilometres) of road from single to dual carriageway. As of March 2026, two out of the eleven sections of the A9 dualling programme have been completed totalling 11 miles (17kilometres). This includes the first section to be dualled, Kincraig to Dalraddy, which has been operational since September 2017, and the second section to be dualled, Luncarty to Pass of Birnam, which has been operational since August 2021. Since the start of the current parliamentary session in 2021 construction works have commenced on the third and fourth sections to be dualled, which together total 11 miles(17 kilometres), with contract award for the Tomatinto Moy contract in July 2024 and for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project in July 2025. Procurement of the4 mile(6.4 kilometre)fifth section, the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie project, also commenced in July 2025.
Turning to the A96, the Scottish Government remains committed to dualling the A96 and we are pressing forward with the steps to make this happen.
Investment in the trunk road network over the next four years will allow the Scottish Government to make further progress on dualling the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn Bypass. With the statutory procedures completed and land acquired in 2025, funding is included in the 2026/27 draft Budget to commence the delivery of advanced works for this scheme, with a view to commencing procurement of the main works construction contract within this Capital Spending Review period.
The Scottish Government’s preference would be to deliver the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) as one project. However, due to the continued fiscal challenges which follow nearly 14 years of austerity and cost pressures under the previous UK Government, it is planned that we will take forward a phased approach to delivery, starting with the Nairn Bypass, followed by the remaining sections of the scheme, from Seafield, east of Inverness, to Balloch and then on from Balloch to the Nairn Bypass. Following the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, the Scottish Government will continue to progress improvements to the A96 eastwards, including an Elgin Bypass.