Motorists travelling the A9 Inverness-Perth road face delays from today as a major resurfacing project get underway.
The northbound carriageway will be replaced between the Findhorn Bridge and Tomatin, at a cost of £343,000.
Contractors Bear Scotland closed the fast lane this morning in preparation for the start of the works, which will last until Thursday.
Speed restrictions are also in place to protect the workforce.
The half-mile project will be carried out 24 hours a day to minimise the construction period of reduce disruption to users of the dual carriageway.
The scheme will also use a new road surface which was developed in Germany. It is similar, but not identical, to the gussaphalt used in the Kessock Bridge resurfacing.
The surface is designed to have a higher than usual friction rating, in a bid to reduce stopping distance, improve skid resistance and reduce road noise for motorists.
Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north-west unit representative said: “These essential resurfacing works will improve the condition of this section of the A9, which is nearing the end of its serviceable life.
“The project has been designed to improve the structural integrity and prolong the life of this section of road.”