The A9 will be affected by management measures when work on the next stage of the mammoth dualling project takes place in highland Perthshire in the new year.
Transport bosses have struck a deal for the £3.6 million stretch between Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie and Crubenmore.
Fugro GeoServices will carry out ground investigation work on the 13-mile section for about three months.
Transport Scotland has warned motorists to expect some disruption, as restrictions will be put in place to keep work crews safe.
Transport secretary Michael Matheson said it was another milestone for the £3 billion scheme, which is on target to finish in 2025.
“The A9 dualling programme between Perth and Inverness is one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history,” he said.
“With ground investigation works already under way on a number of sections of the route, these latest works, starting next month, will help inform the design work for the neighbouring schemes from Glen Garry to Crubenmore.”
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A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “Some of this work will take place on or near the live carriageway and in order to ensure the safety of both road workers and road users we will need to introduce traffic management arrangements.”
He said: “Road users and local communities will be kept informed of our plans and we will endeavour to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.”
Meanwhile, a series of events to give the public the chance to quiz designers on the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam stretch will continue next week.
Balfour Beatty, the firm responsible for planning and construction of the Perthshire section, want to give locals the chance to learn about work that is due to get under way in the coming months.
The next event will be held in Luncarty Church Centre on Monday from 1 to 8pm, and then again at Stanley Village Hall the next day at the same times.
The informal drop-in sessions will provide residents with the opportunity to view the contractor’s plans for the new road layout and provide an overview of the scheduled construction works.
Senior team members from Balfour Beatty, Atkins and Jacobs, as well as representatives from Transport Scotland, will be on hand to answer questions about the £96 million phase.
