The work needed to completely dual the A96 has been given a final date of 2030.
Currently, only short stretched of the road between Inverness and Aberdeen are dual carriageway.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said the plans for the project were in a less advanced stage than those for the A9 upgrade, but reaffirmed that the government was committed to the scheme.
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Work being pushed ahead for the A96 road works include assessments of possible options for bypasses at Forres, Elgin, Keith and Inverurie, while design work has already started on a bypass for Nairn and upgrading the road between Inverness and Nairn.
Mr Brown said: "Our plans to dual the A96 by 2030 will deliver around 86 miles of improvements between the cities of Inverness and Aberdeen.
"Dualling this important road is a significant undertaking which will require careful in-depth planning and design.
"Although our plans for dualling the A96 are less advanced than the A9, we are committed to investing in this strategically important route."
The A9 from Inverness to Perth is due to be fully dual carriageway by 2025.
(JP/CD)
