Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update - August 2025
Information relating to projects with a capital value of £5 million or more which are at the outline business case (or equivalent) approved stage or beyond.
Sector: Transport
Project: A9 Dualling Tomatin to Moy
Business case approved stages: Third project phase of A9 Dualling programme involves approximately six miles (9.6km) of online widening of existing single carriageway to an all-purpose dual carriageway, extending from existing dual carriageways to the south of Tomatin and to the north of Moy. The original Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the project was estimated to cost £197 million and was planned to be operational in December 2025.
Parliament was advised on 8 February 2023 that the project was to be revised following a decision not to make an award under the initial procurement (as reported in March 2023 update). An updated OBC was approved in August 2023 which outlined that the project was estimated to cost £254 million and was planned to be operational in the second half of 2027. The Full Business Case (FBC) approved in July 2024 outlines that the project is estimated to cost £308 million (at outturn) equating to £296 million (at Q2 2024 prices) and that it is planned to be operational by the end of 2027.
Progress at February 2025: No change to cost since the last report. However, the total forecast project cost of £308 million in the previous report (Progress at August 2024) was incorrectly stated as being ‘at Q2 2024 prices’. This should have been ‘at outturn’ instead. The total forecast project cost remains £308 million (at outturn), which is equivalent to £296 million (at Q2 2024 prices).
The Convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee was notified by letter on 7 October 2024 that the project is now expected to be operational by the end of spring 2028. This is later than previously reported and followed receipt and review of the Contractor’s initial works programme which required more time for construction of the works than had been originally estimated. This was due to factors such as seasonal constraints on weather-sensitive work and environmental restrictions for working in watercourses. Preparatory works commenced on site on 21 October 2024 with major construction works starting in spring 2025.
Progress at August 2025: No change to cost or timing since the last report. Major construction works commenced on site in spring 2025 as planned.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: A9 Dualling Tay Crossing to Ballinluig
Business case approved stages: The fourth phase of the A9 Dualling programme, the 8.2km trunk road from Tay Crossing to Ballinluig is being upgraded to an all-purpose dual carriageway as part of a wider programme to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness. The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the total project cost was estimated to be £222 million (at April 2023 prices) with the construction contract cost estimated at £155 million (at Q2 2025 price base) and that the project was planned to be operational by the end of 2028. The Full Business Case (FBC) approved in July 2025 outlines that the project is estimated to cost £257 million (at outturn) and that it is planned to be operational by the end of 2028.
Progress at February 2025: No change to OBC cost or timing since the last report.
The procurement process has continued with three contractors shortlisted in August 2024 to participate in dialogue. Contract award is expected in Summer 2025.
Progress at August 2025: No change to timing since the last report.
The FBC was approved in July 2025 and outlines that the project is estimated to cost £257 million (at outturn) and that it is planned to be operational by the end of 2028. The FBC cost includes allowance for future inflation and accounts for changes in costs of advance works.
The construction contract for the project was awarded to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd in July 2025 at a value of £152.7 million (at Q2 2025 prices).
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie
Business case approved stages: The fifth phase of the A9 Dualling programme, the 6.4 km road from Pitlochry to Killiecrankie is being upgraded to dual carriageway as part of a wider programme to improve the A9 between Perth and Inverness. The Outline Business Case (OBC) was approved in July 2025 and outlines that the total project cost is expected to be £335 million (at Q2 2025 prices) with the construction contract cost estimated at £205 million (at Q2 2025 prices) and that the project is planned to be operational by the end of 2030.
Progress at February 2025: N/A.
Progress at August 2025: The OBC was approved in July 2025 and outlines that the total project cost is expected to be £335 million (at Q2 2025 prices) with the construction contract cost estimated at £205 million (at Q2 2025 prices) and that the project is planned to be operational by the end of 2030.
Procurement of the project commenced in July 2025 with publication of the contract notice. The contract award is expected to take place in Autumn 2026.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: East Kilbride Rail Enhancement
Business case approved stages: Project is part of the East Kilbride and Barrhead Rail Enhancement scheme. The scheme will make rail services reliable, efficient, and attractive to passengers and support modal shift whilst progressing against the Scottish Government’s target to decarbonising the rail network. The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that total project cost was estimated to be £100 million to £120 million and that it was estimated to be operational in December 2024. The Full Business Case (FBC) outlined that total project cost was estimated to be £139.8 million and that it was estimated to be operational in December 2025.
Progress at February 2025: No change to FBC timing since the last report.
The Anticipated Final Cost is now £143.7 million which is an increase to that at FBC and as previously reported. This is mainly a consequence of Transport Scotland requiring to contribute towards the delivery of Hairmyres Station Car Park.
Progress at August 2025: No change to FBC timing since the last report.
The new relocated station at Hairmyres opened to the public in May 2025. At the same time, the South Car Park of the Park and Ride facility delivered by South Lanarkshire Council was opened. The North Car Park subsequently opened for use in August 2025. The new building at East Kilbride station also opened to the public in August 2025. The project remains on schedule for the introduction of electric trains from December 2025.
The Anticipated Final Cost is now £144 million which is an increase in that previously reported. This £300k increase is as a consequence of having to increase parapet heights at two bridges on the route following discussions between Network Rail and South Lanarkshire Council regarding risk assessment due to the presence of electrification infrastructure.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: Markle Level Crossing Bridge Replacement
Business case approved stages: Closure of Markle Level Crossing (in East Lothian) on the East Coast Main Line and its replacement with an overbridge. The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the total project cost was estimated to be £9.2 million and that the project was estimated to be operational by the end of March 2024.
Progress at February 2025: The level crossing closure is planned for early May 2025. The opening of the new diversionary road and road overbridge is forecast for late June 2025. This is later than previously reported (April 2025) due to the project being further delayed by the presence of uncharted buried services. The diversionary works associated with these however are now complete.
As a consequence of the unforeseen on-site issues, the Anticipated Final Cost (£12.5 million) is potentially subject to change, with the Contractor’s submissions subject to final accounting.
Progress at August 2025: No change to cost or timing since the last report.
Markle level crossing closed permanently in mid-May 2025 and the new diversionary road and road overbridge successfully opened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in June 2025. During the period between the level crossing closure and the new bridge opening, East Lothian Council initiated a temporary traffic order which provided road users with a temporary traffic diversion.
The Anticipated Final Cost (£12.5 million) however remains subject to potential change with final accounting and project closeout.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: Borders Railway Decarbonisation
Business case approved stages: Project to facilitate the installation of railway electrification infrastructure on sections of the Borders Line, to facilitate ScotRail fleet replacement. This infrastructure will allow the replacement of the diesel rolling stock which currently operate on Borders route with new battery electric rolling stock. The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the total project cost was estimated to be £32 million and that the project was estimated to commence construction in 2023 and be operational in May 2027 (£14.4 million of total project cost is attributable to the Tweedbank Feeder Station). The Full Business Case (FBC) was approved in June 2025 with a cost of £26.3 million that delivers electrification by 2029 (this does not include the Feeder Station costs for Tweedbank and Portobello).
Progress at February 2025: The development of this project is continuing and is subject to a Final Business Case (FBC) being completed and funding availability. Timescales for delivery of the project will be determined by the wider pipeline programme and the rolling stock procurement exercise.
The new Feeder Station at Tweedbank (£14.4 million) is now planned to be available for use from March 2027 and the new Feeder Station at Portobello (£32.4 million) is now planned to enter service in March 2027, both of which will be in advance of electrification of the Borders Route.
Progress at August 2025: The FBC to progress the electrification of the Borders was approved in June 2025. The capital cost required to fund Borders electrification is £26.3 million and is based on a programme that delivers electrification by 2029. However, the timescales for delivery will be aligned with the outcome of the ScotRail Suburban Fleet procurement exercise, and the train delivery schedule resulting therefrom. The ScotRail Suburban Fleet procurement exercise began in July 2025, with the publication of a Periodic Indicative Notice.
The anticipated final cost estimate does not include the Feeder Station costs for Tweedbank and Portobello which are accounted for separately.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: Fife Decarbonisation
Business case approved stages: Project to facilitate the installation of railway electrification infrastructure on sections of the Fife Circle Lines, to facilitate ScotRail fleet replacement. This infrastructure will allow the replacement of the diesel rolling stock which currently operate on the Fife Circle routes with new Battery Electric rolling stock. The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the total project cost was estimated to be £210 million (exclusive of Feeder Station costs) with the full project estimated be operational in December 2025. The Full Business Case (FBC) was approved in June 2025 with a cost of £311.5 million that delivers electrification by 2029 (exclusive of Thornton Feeder Station costs).
Progress at February 2025: The development of this project is continuing and is subject to a Final Business Case (FBC) and funding availability. Timescales for delivery of the project will be determined by the wider pipeline programme and the rolling stock procurement exercise.
Previously approved preparatory work between Edinburgh and Dalmeny has commenced. This is the first step towards electrification of the Fife routes. The new Feeder Station at Thornton (£29.4 million) is now planned to be available for use from December 2026, in advance of electrification of the Fife circle.
Progress at August 2025: The FBC to progress the electrification of Fife routes was approved in June 2025. The capital cost required to fund Fife electrification is £311.5 million and is based on a programme that delivers electrification by 2029. However, the timescales for delivery will be aligned with the outcome of the ScotRail Suburban Fleet procurement exercise, and the train delivery schedule resulting therefrom. The ScotRail Suburban Fleet procurement exercise began July 2025, with the publication of a Periodic Indicative Notice.
The anticipated final cost estimate does not include the Feeder Station costs for Thornton which are accounted for separately.
Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot
Project: CMAL – Two new 100 metre ferries
Business case approved stages: Procurement commenced and Pre-Qualification
Questionnaires were issued by CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) on 15 October 2014 with tender returns on 31 March 2015 and the Preferred Bidder announced on 31 August 2015. The contract worth £97 million to build the two 100m ‘dual-fuel’ ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) was awarded to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) on 16 October 2015. The first ferry was expected to be delivered in May 2018 with the second vessel following a few months later. Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited (FMPG) purchased FMEL and its assets in December 2019 following liquidation. This included responsibility for the delivery of vessels 801 and 802.
Progress at February 2025: On 19 November 2024, MV Glen Sannox received its final regulatory approval. On 20 November, she was officially handed over to CMAL. Passenger services commenced on 13 January 2025 between Troon to Brodick.
Glen Rosa was launched on 9 April 2024. The current target delivery date is September 2025. However, the delivery plan for MV Glen Rosa is being updated.
At the Scottish Parliament Public Audit Committee (PAC) evidence session on 5 February 2025, FMPG’s Interim Chief Executive acknowledged that Glen Rosa's delivery by September 2025 was at risk. However, FMPG is actively exploring alternative scenarios to assess potential delivery dates and cost implications.
As reported in the August 2024 update, the expected cost to completion from the point of public ownership for both vessels was £299.1 million including contingency.
Progress at August 2025: MV Glen Rosa was launched on 9 April 2024. On 13 May 2025, FMPG formally notified the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee that the vessel’s target delivery date had been revised from September 2025 to the second quarter of 2026. This follows a full review of the work completed to date on the vessel, alongside lessons learned from the construction and delivery of MV Glen Sannox. The revised build plan, informed by these findings, provides a more robust and achievable timetable, reflecting the additional time required to complete and finalise the vessel for handover. At the same time, FMPG confirmed that the forecast cost to complete had risen from £150 million to £172.5 million, alongside an additional risk contingency of £12.5 million. This increase to what was previously reported, is attributed to the extended build programme and the associated costs of delay.
MV Glen Sannox received its final regulatory approval on 19 November 2024 and was officially handed over to CMAL on 20 November 2024. Passenger services commenced on 13 January 2025 between Troon and Brodick. The total cost of the vessel at handover was £151.5 million, which was £2.4 million higher than the previously reported forecast due to delays in final delivery. At the point of delivery, around £1.6 million of post-completion work remained outstanding, to be carried out during the vessel’s dry dock in December 2025 under CMAL ownership. The total cost to build Glen Sannox from the point of public ownership is therefore expected to be between £152 million and £153 million once all work is completed.
Contact for public enquiries: email: Scott.Chalmers@gov.scot