The consortium will begin detailed design work for the project to dual the 47 km western section of the road between Auldearn and Fochabers next month.

The team fended off rival bids from Aecom, Amey / Arup and CH2M / Fairhurst to clinch the deal.

When complete, the project will significantly improve the connectivity and journey times for drivers travelling between Inverness and Aberdeen.

The successful bid saw Mott MacDonald originally team up with consultants Grontmij UK, which was rebranded as Sweco following the takeover of its Dutch parent company by the Swedish firm  last year.

Scotland’s new transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to upgrade Scotland’s trunk road network, which includes dualling the entire length of the A96, some 86 miles of upgraded road between Inverness and Aberdeen, by 2030.

“This major design contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that it will bring to local economies right across the north of Scotland.”