North motorists are facing more misery in the coming weeks as two new resurfacing projects get under way on the A9.
Work will start on Friday on a 0.3mile stretch of the Inverness to Perth road at Badacreamh south of Daviot, with drivers limited to 10mph under convoy.
And then a second set of works is due to start south of Slochd on Monday, November 2, for another two weeks, with drivers again limited to 10mph under convoy for about half of a mile.
Bear Scotland will carry-out the works, with the speed limits in place to ensure workers safety.
Drivers will also face a 40mph stretch, controlled by average speed cameras, between Kincraig and Dalraddy, where the first phase of the A9 dualling project is under way.
Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart called for a limit to be placed on the number of roadworks allowed on a single road at any one time.
Mr Stewart said that he had been “inundated” with complaints following previous resurfacing works at Dalwhinnie, which combined with various other roadworks on the trunk road led to major delays.
He said: “While I support the speed restrictions as the best way of keeping everybody involved safe, I do think that having some sort of maximum number of roadworks at any one time would help some of the frustration.
“It would also help businesses who rely on the road and tourists. We don’t want to develop a reputation that the Highlands are hard to get to.”
The roadworks at Badacreamh will involve the closure of a southbound lane of the dual carriageway stretch of the road, with a convoy system though the works.
The Slochd works, which is on a single lane stretch, will also involve temporary traffic lights.
The upgrade at both sites will be carried out between 7am and 7pm, with no works scheduled for the weekends.
Traffic management will be removed outwith those hours but a 30mph limit will remain in place as traffic will be running on a temporary surface.
Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north-west representative, said: “These essential resurfacing works will improve the condition of these sections of the A9 ahead of the difficult winter period, and address all defects in the surface in these areas.
“While we have taken steps to keep disruption to a minimum some delays are inevitable.
“We will however carry out queue monitoring to better control queue lengths at peak periods to reduce motorist waiting times.
“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.”