Yes, but I am sure that the Scottsh Government had to give approval - which they did. One of the last things that Labour did in power, backed by the Tories and Lib Dems. When SNP won in 2007, one of the first motions was to scrap it and fund other road networks. Of course, they only had a minority in government at that point, so Labour, Tories and Lib Dems pushed it through. It then became the responsibility of the Council.
Interesting that at the last election, Labour were complaining about the trams when it was their idea!!! The only party that I know of that had the A9 to be dualled in their manifesto in the last election were the Tories - i'm surprised they haven't claimed the SNP stole their idea.. watch this space!