Drivers have been warned of new lower speed limits coming into effect on a major road in a matter of weeks which will be in place for roughly three years.
The A9 between Tomatin and Moy will face a new 40mph speed limit instead of the existing 60mph limit from March 10, as major construction works begin on the road.
The temporary speed restriction will remain in place until Spring 2028, when the dualling project is expected to become operational.
The measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of both road users and construction workers during the extensive work period.
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Drivers will see new speed limits in place from March 10
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Additional traffic management measures will include the narrowing of the running lanes and the installation of temporary safety cameras.To help drivers stick to the speed limit, cameras will be introduced in the area.
Night-time road users will face additional temporary traffic signals and convoy working for approximately 10 nights starting March 10.
The authority stated that these arrangements will be in place between 7.30pm until 6am, from Sunday evening to Saturday morning. However, no work will take place on Saturday nights, Transport Scotland noted.
The temporary traffic signals and convoy system are necessary to allow workers to safely install barriers that will narrow the lanes and create working space.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "While the reduced speed limit will mean that journeys take a little longer as construction work proceeds, this is a vital contribution to ensuring the safety of road users and construction workers.
"I encourage all road users to plan their journeys ahead of time and adhere to the speed limit as they travel through the works area."
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the construction period, with public transport services continuing to operate along the route. Bus stops at Tomatin Junction will remain open for both northbound and southbound travel.
However, laybys along the project corridor will be closed to the public, with specific laybys reserved for vehicles carrying large loads.
Transport Scotland Project Manager Dominick Cafferkey added: "We ask all road users to take care on approach to the area, to observe and obey all signage, and we thank them for their patience whilst these essential temporary traffic management measures are in place."
The A9 serves as a crucial transport artery between Perth and Inverness in Scotland, carrying more than 40,000 vehicles daily.
Many drivers have been left furious over the roadworks, with one person sharing on social media that if roadworks can’t be done safely at 60mph, "they really should go back to the drawing board until such time that they can".
They claimed: "I guess they just can't be bothered to do a proper job nowadays - or too scared or incompetent to do a proper risk assessment. Utterly ridiculous to constrain an arterial road like this for three years."
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Speed limits will be reduced while roadworks get underway with the project expected to be completed in 2028
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Someone else warned: "I suspect the enforced restriction will lead to Bad Driving Practices like the frustrations caused by being held back by a contingent of slow-moving vehicles and the regular traffic whose living depends on using the road will create more accidents and problems than it solves.
"I don’t suppose the local Budget would stretch to broadening the Carriageways and reduce congestion and allow broader tolerances? But I’m just thinking out loud again."
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