Motorists in Caithness are to face 12 days of disruption at three separate locations on the region’s busiest routes.
The £325,000 project to improve the state of the roads will start today at Occumster on the A99 Latheron-Wick road and last for four days.
Next Monday, works will start at Borrowston on the same road and will last for two days.
And on Monday, March 27, there will be a further six days of works on the A9 Thurso-Latheron road at Mybster.
The road will remain open at all three locations, but a 10mph convoy system of traffic management will be in place during working hours. Emergency services will be able to pass through the works at all times.
The convoy will be removed overnight, but a 30mph speed limit will remain in place, because traffic will be travelling on a temporary surface.
Community leaders also welcomed the start of the works last night and made it clear that a small amount of inconvenience to drivers is necessary to improve the state of the roads.
All three sections of road are in a state of disrepair, with a particular problem being deep ruts in the road caused by repeated pressure from vehicle wheels.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Unit representative, said: “This latest investment from Transport Scotland will allow us to improve the condition of these three sections of the A99 and A9, addressing any cracks, defects or other issues in the surface.
“We have planned these works to take place ahead of the peak-tourist season to minimise any disruption to the local economy.
“Although we expect delays to be minimal, we would encourage motorists to plan their journeys in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date travel information and to allow extra time for travel.”
Real-time traffic information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.trafficscotland.org or twitter @trafficscotland.
