It will take at least a year before Transport Scotland finalises its preferred option for upgrading the A96 between Hardmuir and Fochabers.
Roads bosses are currently running a consultation on dozens of potential options to ease traffic through Moray.
Planners will then choose their favourite route before unveiling it at another round of public exhibitions in the second half of next year.
Once that is carried out, it is expected to take at least another two years for design works to be completed.
Originally, it was expected the Pluscarden Valley route, entitled “option N”, would remain on the table until 2018.
However, Transport Scotland’s project manager John MacIntyre explained it had become obvious it was not viable.
He said: “One of the many things we look at is traffic flow and we found that route was so remote from the main communities that drivers wouldn’t want to use it.
“Over the next year, we will look at specifications to choose the best option remaining. Cost does come into it, but we also look at the environment, engineering, traffic and economics as well as public feedback.”
Exhibitions about the project will be held today at Elgin Town Hall, tomorrow at Bellie Church Hall in Fochabers and on Thursday at Forres Town Hall – all these events will run from noon to 7pm.