The UK arm of Madrid-based civil engineering giant Sacyr is competing with Graham and Balfour Beatty for a £150m road improvement scheme in the Highlands.
Scottish Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop this week announced the shortlist for the dualling of the A9 between Tomatin and Moy.
In 2021, the Scottish Government selected Graham, Balfour and Irish contractor Wills Bros to tender for the work. However, the procurement exercise was abandoned earlier this year after the client received only one offer, which was deemed too expensive. Since then, the approximate cost of the work has been revalued to £150 million, instead of £115 million.
A new contract notice was published in September for the 10km dualling work, part of a program of upgrades along the A9, using the NEC4 standard agreement.
Hyslop said this week: “The announcement of the shortlisted contractors follows a significant change in the overall contracting strategy for this project, which uses a different form of contract with a balanced share of risk between the contractor and Scottish Ministers.
“The doubling of the section between Tomatin and Moy will not only improve connectivity and safety for route users by improving the single carriageway, but will also include over 10km of improvements to active travel routes, including new footpaths and more connections with public transport.”
The works will include four new junctions, three new bridges, improved areas, new footpaths and new bus turning facilities at Tomatin.
Several preparatory works packages have been completed over the last two years with the aim of de-risking the main construction programme. This included enabling works at the Tomatin Distillery, the replacement of the Lynebeg railway bridge, the diversion of track culverts and an archaeological investigation.
The main construction contract is expected to be awarded next summer.
Sacyr has worked on projects in the UK including the Edinburgh tramway and the A6 motorway in Northern Ireland. Graham has offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as in England and Ireland. Balfour Beatty is the UK’s largest contractor by turnover.
Transport Scotland is delivering a £3 billion program on the 130km dual carriageway of the A9 from Perth to Inverness.
