A section of the A96 will be closed to drivers all next weekend.
The main Aberdeen to Inverness route north of Huntly will be inaccessible from Friday, June 14 until Monday, June 17 for ‘essential roadworks’.
Temporary traffic lights are already in place ahead of the project near Cairnie.
The work will take place between the Cairnie junction and 520 metres south of Windyraw junction.
It means that drivers will need to take a diversion spanning over 30 miles in order to continue on the A96.
The alternate route, driving in the westbound direction, will lead drivers through the A920 to Dufftown, the A941 to Craigellachie and finally onto the A95 leading back onto the A96 near Keith.
Further works are also scheduled to take place between 7.30pm and 6.30am on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18.
Traffic management is set to be removed by 6.30am on Wednesday, June 19.
A96 work aims to address ‘road defects’
Amey – the infrastructure support organisation undertaking the work – says the maintenance work is “essential” to fix defects.
A spokesperson said: “Amey is undertaking surfacing improvements on the A96 to the north of Huntly between Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 19.
“The £330,000 project, which Amey is carrying out on behalf of Transport Scotland, will address defects on more than 750 metres of the A96 road surface near the village of Cairnie.
“To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, the essential maintenance will be carried out initially under overnight convoy and temporary traffic lights during weekdays, followed by a full weekend road closure of the A96.
“The resurfacing will benefit nearly 7,300 vehicles who use this route each day, creating a smoother ride for motorists and reducing the need for ongoing maintenance.”
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