A major milestone has been reached in the Inverness West Link project – meaning work will start next month.
Scottish Ministers cleared the way for the controversial road to go ahead by approving compulsory purchase orders.
They were required for the multimillion-pound scheme to progress, and were resolved after months of negotiations between the Highland Council and landowners.
But an opponent of the scheme last night said that it was as still mystery how the council would pay for the work.
John West, a long-time critic of the plans, said: “The arguments against it keep mounting but the council is totally adamant it is right.
“It is disappointing.
“And we do not know where the money is coming from. I think they are hoping that the £300million City Deal is going to land on their desks and they can square the circle using that.
“But is George Osborne decides he is not going to play ball, then where are they then?”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said it was “excellent news”, adding that the road would open up the south-west of the city.
He added: “The potential development around the canal and the new sports facilities at Torvean are very exciting.
“There is a big opportunity to make a significant impact on tourism and sporting activity in the city.”
The most recent estimate for the road scheme was given in February, when the council said it cost up to £43.4million.
It will link the A82 Fort William to Inverness road via a canal and River Ness crossing with Dores Road.
A new swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal at Tomnahurich and a new fixed bridge over the River Ness from Bught Park to Ness-side will be built.
However, with plans for enhanced sports facilities also included, the cost of the project could reach £55million.
There are also plans to build around 160 new houses in the Torvean area, close to the site of a new golf course.
Next week, councillors will be asked to approve plans to revamp the rugby pitches at Bught Park, which will be encroached on by the new road.
Two landowners had maintained their objections to the CPOs however they withdrew after negotiations over land access and boundary treatments.
Enabling works for the first stage of the road, east of the canal, are now due to start in September.
And a community liaison group has been set up, with its first meeting due on August 31.
Provost of Inverness, Helen Carmichael said: “The West Link Road will bring a huge number of benefits to the area, not least reducing congestion in the city centre. It will also bring the boost of jobs and associated income to the area during the construction phase.”
Council leader, Margaret Davidson welcomed the news.
She said: “This is excellent news for Inverness and the surrounding area. We can finally get on with the work of building the road. The West Link project will deliver a greatly improved infrastructure to support the future development, growth and prosperity of Inverness and indeed the whole of the Highlands.”