Motorists have been warned to expect delays as the latest stage of the Scottish Government’s £3 billion A9 dualling project gets under way next week.
Transport Scotland has announced that crucial ground investigation work will be carried out on the Birnam to Glen Garry stretch from Monday.
The operation is expected to last four months. During the exercise, single-file traffic sections will put in place along the route, controlled by temporary traffic lights.
Transport Scotland says contractors will closely monitor the roadworks to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum and that any incidents on site are quickly dealt with.
Ground investigation work is also taking place on the A9 between Dalnaspidal and Kincraig and is expected to last until October.
Meanwhile, the next phase of the long-awaited project was yesterday unveiled at a public consultation event at Dalwhinnie.
The session in the village hall outlined proposals for the Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore section.
A range of options have been considered for the 4.7 mile stretch, which is close to a special conservation area at Drumochter Hills.
Among the local constraints listed by Transport Scotland is the River Truim which runs between Dalwhinnie and the A9 and includes a flood plain which could restrict development.
The Beauly to Denny power, which has recently been completed, also runs to the east of the A9 in this area.
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “Under the A9 dualling programme, it is proposed to eliminate right-turning movements at junctions. In order to achieve this and to maintain full access to Dalwhinnie, significant junction improvements are required.”
She added: “Initial work has identified that a full grade separated junction is not suitable at the existing T-junction location, due to constraints including the Highland main line railway, River Truim and other environmental features. Further work has therefore been undertaken to consider the access strategy.”
The government authority said it was committed to having the A9 dualled by 2025, with construction work due begin soon on the first phase between Kincraig and Dalraddy.