Motorists using the A9 on the Black Isle are being warned to expect delays as a week-long resurfacing project gets underway north of the Kessock Bridge.
The £250,000 upgrade on the southbound carriageway of the Inverness to Thurso road will begin on Sunday, September 18, and is expected to take seven nights to complete.
The work will involve the resurfacing of just over a mile stretching from near the North Kessock junction, close to the Kessock Bridge.
It will be carried out overnight between 7pm and 7am each night due to restricted working hours and the high volume of traffic on the busy trunk road.
No work is scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights and it is expected to be completed by Tuesday, September 27.
The resurfacing will be carried out by Bear Scotland, which said that that temporary traffic lights and a 10mph convoy system will be in place during the works because of the restricted width of the A9 in the area.
In addition to the 10mph convoy, when works are being carried out near the North Kessock Junction, the southbound slip roads will be closed.
Traffic moving from North Kessock wishing to join the southbound A9 will be diverted north to the Tore roundabout and then south through the works.
Southbound traffic wishing to exit at the North Kessock Junction will be diverted south to Longman Roundabout where they will directed to return north on the A9, exiting at the North Kessock Junction.
Traffic travelling to and from the northbound A9 will be unaffected.
Traffic management will be removed out with working hours to keep disruption to a minimum, although a speed restriction of 30mph will remain in place as traffic will be running on a temporary surface.
Eddie Ross, operating company representative for the north west unit, said: “These essential resurfacing works will upgrade the existing road surface on this very busy section of the A9.
“Although some delays will be inevitable, this investment in the road will improve its condition, ensuring a smoother journey for road users.
“As always, we ask motorists to plan their journey ahead, and leave some extra time for travel where possible.”
