A dual carriageway allows drivers to overtake safely, as they do not have to meet oncoming traffic; and the crash barriers on the central reservation will greatly reduce the number of head-on collisions.

As of 2024[update], two sections of the project have been completed—the Kincraig to Dalraddy (near Aviemore) in September 2017, and the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam (near Perth) in August 2021, totalling 11 miles (17 km).

Dangerous overtaking manoeuvres on long single-carriageway stretches of the road are also common causes of accidents,[4] as well as the non-grade separated junctions along the northern sections, where drivers make a right turn across the opposing traffic flow.

[5] Since 2007, the Scottish Government has given serious consideration to converting the entire Perth-Inverness section to dual carriageway with more grade separated junctions, with the initial estimated cost at £600 million.

This has been undertaken with an aim to reduce accidents and fatalities on the road, and was the second permanent average speed camera scheme in Scotland.

[11] Both became operational in October 2014,[12][failed verification] before HGV speed limit increase would then apply to England and Wales on single carriageways from 40 to 50 mph.

[13] The A9 Safety Group claim that the cameras have had a "positive influence" on road users, with the number of drivers breaking the speed limit by over 10 mph (16 km/h) decreasing by 97%.

[17] In 2022, despite the installation of average speed cameras, 17 people died on the A9, of whom 13 were on the stretch between Perth and Inverness, where much of the route is single carriageway.

[24] In November 2011, the Scottish Government announced that it would upgrade the entire road from Perth to Inverness to dual carriageway.

[35] The project will be delivered via a hybrid approach, utilising both 'design and build' (D&B) and 'mutual investment model' (MIM) contracts.

In November 2023, Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop announced three contractors have been shortlisted for this scheme: John Graham Construction Ltd, Sacyr UK Ltd and Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd.[37] The £150 million contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty in July 2024 with construction set to last around three years.

[44] In April 2024, Transport Scotland began procurement for the 5-mile (8 km) section between Tay Crossing (aka, Jubilee Bridge) and Ballinluig project.

[53] A review from the BBC stated that the civil engineers knew that finishing the project by its original deadline of 2025 was going to be impossible for years.

Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon stated that the reason for the delay was because it "faced significant challenges beyond their control, including from Brexit and the Covid[-19] pandemic"[57] and apologised that the 2025 deadline cannot be met.

[54] According to a 2012 report, Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said that the "2025 [deadline] was challenging but achievable"[61] In March 2024, Fergus Ewing, an SNP politician for the Inverness and Nairn constituency, that is also an MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament) member since 1999, issued a public letter to transport secretary Fiona Hyslop highlighting delays to the project and continuing fatalities on the road.

[62] A month prior to this, Ewing was suspended by the SNP for criticizing the party's negligence with particular emphasis on the A9 and A96 dualling delays.

[63] In November 2024, the SNP announced plans to slash the national speed limit on single carriageway roads nationwide from 60mph to 50mph,[64] causing major concern from campaigners that it would further push back dualling of the A9, or lead to the project being cancelled outright, and that a further reduced speed limit would only increase frustration and lead to more accidents.

[68] The First Minister John Swinney, has feared that the government may de-prioritise the project after the finance secretary warned about not being able to afford its capital commitments.