A fragile Highland community cannot grow and prosper without a badly needed new road, councillors have been told.
However, the funding for a Stromeferry bypass in Wester Ross where numerous landslides in recent years have left motorists with a massive detour, is still to be found.
The council is to seek urgent Scottish Government help.
Proposed solutions include a new bridge and bypass costing around £100million, or diverting the existing road. Either option is beyond the local authority’s budget.
The council has committed just £10million towards the project.
The A890 links Lochcarron and Plockton and on to the A896.
When blocked by landslips, the 18-mile stretch requires a 140-mile diversion because of the lack of alternative routes.
Briefing planning committee members on the financial situation, principal engineer Garry Smith said the £10million pledged by the council in March remained the only secure funding for the project.
Despite investigating the usual options, the project does not automatically qualify for traditional European funding available for road improvements.
Both the development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise and transport agency Hitrans are said to be supportive, but have been unable to commit significant contributions.
Further talks are planned with roads agency Transport Scotland later this month to discuss the options.
“The Scottish Government are the council’s best chance of obtaining funding,” Mr Smith said.
“During stakeholder meetings on March and public meetings more recently in Achmore and Lochcarron, there was one single point everyone agreed on – investment in the road network around Lochcarron is vital.
“The area can’t grow and prosper without a reliable road which is fit for the future.”
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh councillor Audrey Sinclair praised council officials for their efforts to secure the funding and keep the local community up to speed with the process.
Stressing the urgency of the project, her ward colleague Biz Campbell highlighted the priority of child safety.
“Pupils travel every day to Plockton High School and if anything happened on that bypass a whole generation would be wiped out,” she said.
The committee agreed that officers continue to pursue external funding for the scheme.