A9 Dualling Central section

The A9 Central section lies entirely within the Cairngorms National Park, which is the largest national park in the UK, and the route passes through Drumochter Summit which, at a height of 1,516 feet (462 metres) is the highest point on the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

Communities on this section of the route include Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, Calvine and Dalwhinnie.

The A9 Dualling Central section of the A9 corridor requires 42.5km of dualling to be carried out. This section consists of three projects:

As announced in January 2026, the three central projects will be undertaken as capitally-funded Design and Build contracts, under a Framework Agreement. The procurement and construction of the Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie and Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore projects have been combined into one contract, the Glen Garry to Crubenmore project. This will be the seventh project to enter construction under the 2026 Delivery Plan. Procurement of this will commence in Autumn 2027, with contract award expected in Summer 2028 and dualling operational by end of 2034.

The Killiecrankie to Glen Garry will also be procured under the Framework Agreement. This will be the ninth project to enter construction under the 2026 Delivery Plan.  Procurement of this will commence in Spring 2029, with contract award expected in Winter 2029/30 and dualling operational by end of 2034.