Motorists using the A9 are being asked to plan ahead for traffic restrictions on a section of the road between Tomatin and Moy.
Ground assessment work is due to start ahead of dualling the section of the road – the most northerly in the current scheme and the nearest to Inverness.
Work will start on Monday and is expected to take three weeks.
Although most of the work will not be carried out on the existing road, the traffic management measures will be in place to allow work beside the carriageway to be carried out safely.
The traffic management arrangements will include short, alternate single file traffic sections controlled by temporary traffic signals.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “This ground investigation is needed to get vital information on the existing ground conditions in the vicinity of the A9 carriageway between Tomatin and Moy, the most northerly section of the A9 Dualling programme, as we progress our plans to dual the road.
“This is the latest in a series of ground investigations taking place along the route having started works between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig last week.
“We apologise for any inconvenience these works will cause and would thank road users and local communities in advance for their patience over the next few weeks.
“The contractor will closely monitor the operation of the traffic management measures to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum.”
The five mile Tomatin to Moy scheme will involve widening the road along its current route, primarily on the northbound side.
Plans for major junctions at both Tomatin and Moy at either end of the section are included.
It is one of a number of developments on the overall £3billion project to dual the trunk road between Inverness and Perth by 2025.
The preferred option for the section between Crubenmore and Kincraig will be revealed at public exhibitions this week.
The first will be held between noon and 8pm at Newtonmore Village Hall on Wednesday, March 8.
A second event will be held on Thursday at Talla nan Ros, in Kingussie, between 11am and 7pm.