The second phase of major roadworks in the centre of Dingwall will begin this week.
Work is ongoing to upgrade the junction near the council offices, with an additional lane being created on the A862 Newton Road for traffic approaching from the south to prevent queues. Another new lane will be provided for traffic turning right on to Mart Road.
Work to improvement the bottleneck junction – which links the A862 Newton Road and A383 Brun Place – is the first step in the £7.25million Kinnairdie Link road scheme.
This week, a traffic management system will be in place at the junction as the project progresses.
It involves extending road closures on the southern end of the town’s High Street and a diversion for southbound traffic from the A834 Strathpeffer road.
A council spokeswoman said: “The main change to the current traffic management will be that southbound traffic on the A834 Strathpeffer Road will be diverted via Mart Road and Station
Road along with the traffic currently diverted from the A862. A signed diversion will continue to be in place for Strathpeffer bound traffic, via Tulloch Avenue and motorists are asked to follow the shown diversion route.
“The road widening works partially completed in phase one will remain closed for traffic safety purposes. The traffic management will be monitored at all times during the works and arrangements modified where necessary.
She added: “The council wishes to thank all motorists for their co-operation and understanding and advises anyone using this route to allow extra time for their journey.”
The half-mile Kinnairdie Link Road scheme was unanimously approved by councillors earlier this year.
It will connect the busy A834 Strathpeffer Road and the A862 relief road at Dingwall Academy.
The road has been designed to open up disused land for up to 600 new homes, with the council promising £40million worth of investment as a result.