Road users in Moray will be able to use a newly formed section of the busy A96 route west of Forres from the end of this week.
Work has been ongoing for just over a year that has seen traffic on the route being diverted along a 650m diversion as the alignment of the road has been raised several feet.
The changes are part of the River Findhorn and Pilmuir flood alleviate scheme with the changes to the road being completed a month ahead of schedule. By raising the road drainage channels from the Pilmuir area will flow underneath the road and directly into the river.
Opening of the raised section will be subject to final checks being carried out from around lunchtime on Thursday. If everything is in place traffic should be switched to the new section of road by around 3.30pm.
Chairman of the Council’s flood alleviation sub-committee is local Forres councillor George Alexander. He said: “The fact that the stretch of road is reopening four weeks ahead of schedule typifies the excellent progress that is being made on the scheme as a whole.
“As part of the roadworks, a new roundabout has been constructed to provide improved access to and from the Greshop industrial estate at its western end.
“Work on the flood scheme started 18 months ago and is due for completion in spring next year. It is currently predicted that the scheme will be £6million under budget.”