Moves to improve road safety at a junction of the A9 are continuing despite construction work being halted during the lockdown.
MSP Kate Forbes, who had to postpone a planned summit with community representatives about the Munlochy junction, says Transport Scotland remains committed to the project.
The agency is in the process of appointing an engineering consultant to undertake a study on long-term options for the trunk road between North Kessock and Tore.
These range from low-cost, readily implementable measures upwards. However, most options require statutory public consultation, which may result in legal objections and delays.
BEAR have also started to put in place new equipment to improve the reliability of the queue warning signs for northbound A9 traffic. This will be completed when it is safe to do so.
Ms Forbes said: “Whilst the current lockdown means that construction work can’t go ahead, that doesn’t mean that all work has stopped.
“The Munlochy Junction is a priority and so I had a telephone meeting with Transport Scotland about progressing as much work as possible in the interim period.”
She said she is pleased with the extent of the work planned and hopes on-site activity can resume when the lockdown ends.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are progressing with work where it is possible to do so and will take this forward when the current restrictions are lifted.”