Respite is in sight for commuters using the Kessock Bridge after contractors revealed restrictions could be lifted within the next week.
Transport agency Bear Scotland has confirmed work on the bridge is ahead of schedule and it has been able to change its original plan.
The bridge would be fully open during daylight hours and the remaining work carried out at night.
The roadworks have been in place since February to allow the southbound carriageway to be resurfaced.
The work was completed last week and contractor Balfour Beattie will now move on to the final stage of the project, including re-tensioning the bridge’s main cables.
Calum Galloway, Bear Scotland’s bridges manager for the north-west unit, said: “Road users will be encouraged to hear that we are currently working closely with Balfour Beattie to endeavour to reopen the road to traffic at peak times in the next week or so.
“A specific date has not been confirmed for this yet, but it will mean restricting the remaining works to night-time working only, when traffic flows are lower.
“As works continue to progress well, we would like to thank the travelling public again for their support during this complex operation.”
Black Isle councillor Isobel McCallum said yesterday: “There has been a feeling that they were going to finish earlier than last year, people will be delighted to get the roadworks behind them and hopefully things will start to return to normal.
“There has been a few days when it has been very bad and people have been dreading the trip over the bridge.
“People will be delighted that it is coming to an end and they can stay in bed a bit longer in the morning.”
Drivers have been encouraged to car share and to cycle to work to help to reduce congestion while the roadworks are in place.
Wendy Price, director of Transition Black Isle, said: “It’s great news for the area that the roadworks are nearly finished but we hope that people maintain the adjustments they have made to their commuting.
“We have noticed a considerable increase in people cycling this year, especially with the northbound cycle lane open, unlike last year.
“At North Kessock we have noticed a lot more cars with cycle carriers parked with people obviously heading across the bridge from there.
“It would be brilliant if we could keep that up.”