Members of a cycle safety campaign have launched a last-ditch challenge to the Inverness West Link road.
The opponents are battling to block a series of changes to footpaths required as part of the controversial road scheme.
Highland Council is seeking traffic orders so it can proceed with the project, but cycle safety campaigners Graham Tuley and Brian Mackenzie have both objected on safety grounds.
It means a hearing will have to be held early next month in front of Scottish Government reporter Richard Dent who will decide on whether to grant the orders.
Mr Mackenzie, who is secretary of the Highland Cycle Campaign said he was not against the road itself, but insisted: “It could be done better for cyclists.”
He said there were concerns about a lack of planned crossing points, and about the impact on a number of less busy routes which are currently used by pedestrians and cyclists, especially in the Dores area.
Critics also fear underpasses for cyclists may have a number of tight bends, described by Mr Mackenzie as “unacceptable”.
He said: “The main concern I have is that the proposed road seems to be poorer than what already exists.
“I am objecting from the perspective of a cyclist but I think that fixing a problem for cyclists could also benefit pedestrians and maybe even road users.”
In a letter to the objectors, Highland Council insists new footpaths and crossings have been designed to meet “cycling by design” standards.
The hearing into the stopping up orders was originally supposed to have followed on from a public inquiry into compulsory purchase orders relating to the road.
However, this inquiry was cancelled after behind-the-scenes negotiations between the council and landowners.
Preparatory work on the project is due to start later this year before the first stage of the main construction gets underway in spring 2016.
Highland Council has agreed a £55million package to progress the Inverness West Link road and new sports venues to compensate for facilities that will be bulldozed to make way for the route.