Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical, a UK-based site investigation contractor, has been awarded a contract by the Scottish Government for the ground investigation work for the A9 Dualling programme at Slochd Summit, in the Scottish Highlands.

The Slochd Summit is the second highest point on the A9 and over 1300 feet above sea level.

As part of the contract, Raeburn Drilling will be responsible for carrying out a ground investigation work that will help progress the A9 dualling scheme for the 15 mile section of the route between Dalraddy and Slochd.

"We hope to identify the preferred route for this section next year and these investigations will help inform the design work at the next stage."

The ground investigation work is expected to by early next year and would take five weeks to complete.

Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Economy Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: “The A9 Dualling programme between Perth and Inverness is one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.

“Building on the vital ground investigation work that has already taken place across the dualling programme this year, this latest ground investigation contract will take place along a very challenging part of the route totalling over 15 miles which includes the dramatic rockface at Slochd.

“We hope to identify the preferred route for this section next year and these investigations will help inform the design work at the next stage.

“With design work for all the remaining dualling projects ongoing and the first section between Kincraig and Dalraddy due to be completed in summer 2017, we remain on target to complete this ambitious programme by 2025.”

To ensure the safety of both road workers and road users the government intends to introduce traffic management arrangements for the ground investigation works when they get underway early next year.