Scottish Government still to set timetable for improvements to Longman Roundabout in Inverness
Plans are progressing on a long-awaited major road improvement scheme in Inverness - but no date has yet been set for its completion.
The Longman Junction Improvement scheme should ease traffic congestion at the notorious bottleneck connecting the A9 and A82 near the Kessock Bridge.
It is on the list of ambitious projects to be carried out under the £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal which was announced in 2016.
The deal is due to run for 10 years but so far work is still to begin on the Longman Junction - although Transport Scotland says the plans are being taken forward.
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Under the 10-year Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, the Scottish Government committed £135 million of investment, the UK government £53 million and Highland Council and its regional partners contributing £127 million.
Five years ago, Highland Council endorsed the preferred option for the Longman Junction improvement project featuring a new flyover and enlarging the existing roundabout.
The costs were put at between £85 million and £95 million.
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “The Scottish Government continues to take forward plans for the grade separation of the A9/A82 Longman Roundabout as part of its commitment to the £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
“We continue to progress the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option for the scheme.
“Delivery of the scheme can then only commence once approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for further progress can be set.”
Other projects being carried out under the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal including the transformation of Inverness Castle into a tourist attraction.