The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Road bosses reveal A9 plan for Pitlochry
Residents get first glimpse into next stage of £3bn project
The latest stage of a multi-billion-pound project to dual Scotland’s longest trunk road was unveiled by transport chiefs yesterday.
Details of how the Scottish Government’s “mammoth” A9 upgrade will impact on the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie section of the road went on display at a public meeting.
The talks were the latest in a series of consultation events held at points along the route.
Transport Scotland is leading the project and has coordinated workshops and exhibitions to gather feedback on more than 24 miles of the 80-mile scheme.
To date, more than 320 people have attended at meetings.
They have discussed the Tay Crossing-Ballinluig; Killiecrankie-Pitagowan; Pitagowan-Glen Garry and Glen Garry-Dalwhinnie stretches.
A range of options for the three-and-ahalf mile section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie went on display at Pitlochry Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The display continues today from 11am to 4pm and will then return on both July 29 and 30.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “The A9 dualling programme is the largest transport investment in Scotland’s history with around 80 miles of upgraded dualled road.
“I’m delighted the next phase of design work is ready to see.
“The preparation work is moving on apace and locals and road users can see our early design plans which give more detailed analysis of route and junction options for the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie project.”
The newest scheme, along with four other sections between Tay Crossing and Dalwhinnie, covers more than a third of the overall programme.
Mr Mackay added: “We are pressing ahead to make the A9 safer and in addition to the shorter term measures we are taking, we recognise the need to get construction under way as soon as possible to dual those sections of remaining single carriageway.”
In May, it was revealed that a major treasure hunt would get under way on the site of the battle of Killiecrankie, before any dualling work in that area.
Historians armed with metal detectors will search the area – on the Killiecrankie to Pitagowan stretch – to unearth any remaining relics from the 1689 clash between the Jacobite army and Government forces.
Transport Scotland said it is committed to dualling the entire stretch by 2025, with work on the first phase between Kincraig and Dalraddy due to begin soon.
We are pressing ahead to make the A9 safer. TRANSPORT MINISTER DEREK MACKAY