Plans for a major new junction as part of the A9 dualling project will be unveiled today by the Scottish Government.
The Press and Journal can provide an exclusive first look at a proposed option for access to the Inverness-Perth road at Dalwhinnie.
The plans are for a six mile stretch of the route between Dalwhinnie and Crubenmore, which will be dualled as part of the £3billion scheme.
Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities, will visit Badenoch and Strathspey today to unveil the full range of 15 options for the junction.
The project will provide access to the village from the trunk road, as well as linking into the A889 Dalwhinnie-Laggan Bridge Road.
The option revealed to the Press and Journal shows the junction built to the south of Dalwhinnie, with southbound traffic being directed under the main road to head into the village.
A new crossing of the River Truim would also need to be built.
Mr Brown said: “We are determined to press ahead with the largest and most ambitious of the Scottish Government’s infrastructure programmes, with construction work on the first of the A9 dualling schemes between Kincraig and Dalraddy expected to begin this summer.
“With average speed cameras already helping to make positive changes to driver behaviour, we are determined to progress the work to dual the A9, a key part of our wider strategy to improve the safety and performance of Scotland’s longest trunk road.
“We are making good headway with the dualling programme, and I have seen for myself the 15 impressive design options being considered for junctions as part of the design work to dual the A9 at Dalwhinnie, giving the local community a series of early options to consider.
“I was particularly impressed with the fly-through images which give road users a real sense of what the new upgraded road could look like and how local access onto and around the A9 might work.
“These are key considerations as we take forward plans and, as consultation is at the heart of the A9 dualling programme, we would like the community’s thoughts as we narrow down the options to be taken to the next phase of development.”