The design team overseeing the dualling of the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness route through Moray have invited residents to a series of roadshows aimed at helping shape the project.
Transport Scotland awarded a contract worth up to £50million for route option assessment and detailed design work on a 28-mile stretch between Hardmuir and Fochabers earlier this year.
Now, representatives from the roads authority’s A96 dualling department and their design consultants are arranging a trio of “meet the team” gatherings.
Key figures in charge of the improvements programme will be present to answer questions from residents with concerns about the route the road may take.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, announced the events yesterday, and stated the government viewed upgrading the 88-mile stretch as a “huge task”.
Mr Brown added: “This requires careful planning and design, so that we deliver the right scheme to help tackle congestion, make journey times more reliable and – crucially – improve road safety.
“Having awarded the design contract earlier this year for the 28-mile section between Hardmuir and Fochabers, we are in the early stages of developing route options and expect to consult on these later next year.
“These events are an opportunity for locals and road users to hear first-hand from the people designing the route.
“As we progress the route options assessment stage further, public consultations will be undertaken to ensure those affected by the work are kept fully informed and their feedback is taken into account.”
Mott MacDonald Sweco Joint Venture was appointed to steer the design process on the stretch of the road through Moray in May.
Since then, there has been growing pressure from Moray’s politicians, councillors and residents to ensure the route chosen is one which benefits the area.
The Forres A96 Dualling Action Group claims some of the suggested routes could cripple traders’ income by bypassing the region’s main towns.
Group leader Brian Higgs has vowed to ensure designers are aware of the negative consequences involved in choosing some of the routes.
The events will take place from noon to 7pm at the Bellie Church Hall in Fochabers on Tuesday, October 4, at Forres’s Ramnee Hotel the following day and in the gallery at Elgin Library on Thursday, October 6.