The Scottish Government is being urged to “push on” with the dualling of the A9 in Perth and Kinross after the road claimed the lives of five people in less than two months.
Jacalyn Margittay (69), from Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin, died in a tragic crash on the A9 north of Dunkeld on September 16, while travelling in Scotland with a friend.
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing also appealed for the project to be brought forward following the death of his friend Philippa Grant near Slochd on the same day.
This followed three American family members dying after a collision with a lorry on the A9 at Ralia near Newtonmore on August 10.
The notorious Perth to Inverness road has seen many accidents and fatalities over the years and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser feels the dualling programme isn’t moving fast enough and says locals are seeking clarity on a timeline for completion.
Commenting on the deaths of the American tourists, Mr Fraser said: “These horrific accidents on the A9, which tragically claimed four lives, illustrate how vital it is to push on with the dualling project - it must progress and must be completed.
“It is notable that both accidents took place on single carriageway stretches of the road.
“The crash in Perthshire led to the road being closed for more than seven hours, causing massive tailbacks and delays.
“It shouldn’t take another fatality to raise awareness of how important it is to confirm dualling will be fully completed.”
Mr Fraser continued: “We were initially told that the A9 dualling should be completed by 2025, which now looks very unlikely.
“The road has seen many accidents and fatalities through the years.
“To have four people dying in accidents on the road in recent weeks shows that we urgently need confirmation that dualling is progressing and that it will be fully completed.”
In response, a Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We express our sympathies to everyone affected by the loss of a loved one or who has been injured on our roads this summer.
“Road safety is of paramount importance to this government, one life lost on our roads is one too many.
“The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
“We have already invested over £400 million to date delivering the dualling programme.
“Work to determine the most suitable procurement option for the remaining sections of the dualling between Perth and Inverness is ongoing.
“This is a complex exercise which considers how it can be delivered efficiently, whilst minimising disruption and supporting economic recovery post-COVID.
“We will of course update Parliament when this complex piece of work is completed.”
