It is the second section to come out to bid and covers around 29 miles of the A96 east of Auldearn to east of Fochabers. Earlier this year Jacobs UK clinched a £30m design contract for the 19-mile Inverness to Nairn section of the A96 dualling programme

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities Keith Brown said: “With the Scottish Government making major infrastructure investment in projects like the A9, new Queensferry Crossing and recently completed Borders Railway, this contract for the A96 further underlines the significant investment we are making in our transport network across Scotland.

“When this contract is awarded early next year, design work for the western section will step up a gear with route option assessment work getting underway.

“This contract will also provide the successful bidders with steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work, so it will be a boost for the local and national economy.”

£3bn A9 dualling programme route