Contract awarded for archaeological work on section of A9
The Scottish Government is hoping to dual the road between Perth and Inverness by 2035.
The contract has been awarded for archaeological work on a stretch of the A9.
Rubicon Heritage Services will undertake the investigations between the Tay crossing and Ballinluig in Perth and Kinross, as the Scottish Government continues its push to dual the road between Perth and Inverness by 2035.
The firm will be tasked with surveying, excavation and the reporting of archaeological finds, at a cost of almost £2 million, Transport Scotland said.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "It is important that we modernise our road network in a way which respects the rich heritage and history in the areas where construction is taking place.
"Investing in these archaeological works will enable us to explore, document and better understand a key part of ancient Scotland as we progress the delivery of the A9 dualling: Tay crossing to Ballinluig project.
"The main construction contract for this project is currently in procurement and we are on track to award the contract next summer, which will deliver the next milestone of our delivery plan.
"Communities along the A9 and road users will already be seeing more visible work across the A9 between Perth and Inverness, with site clearance works under way on the Tomatin to Moy section and ground investigation works under way further south associated with the Tay crossing to Ballinluig and Pitlochry to Killiecrankie projects."