A contractor has been selected to take forward ground investigation work as part of the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan improvement scheme.

Transport Scotland has announced the award of a ground investigations contract for over £370,000 to Environmental Scientifics Group Ltd.

The work is programmed to start in October and is expected to be on site for a period of 9 weeks.

The work is part of the Stage 2 assessment for the route and it is expected that a preferred route alignment will be identified by next Summer.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “We are firmly committed to upgrading the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan.

“We announced earlier this year that any upgrade work would take place along the line of the existing 17 km section of the route. Now we are taking forward further design work to identify a preferred route by next Summer.

“These ground investigations due to get underway next month will provide the detailed information needed to help inform the scheme’s design.

“We need to ensure that any future upgrade fits within the area’s outstanding landscape and environment and maintains the renowned beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

“The work we are doing along this vital route that connects the Highlands and Islands with the central belt will lead to improved road safety and journey time reliability and meet the needs of business, communities and visitors alike.”

Meanwhile locals are being invited to have their say on the preferred option for the A96 Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) dualling scheme.

The plans for the preferred option go on display at a series of public exhibitions being held in Nairn (3 October), Auldearn (6 October) and Inverness (7 October). The exhibitions will give locals, businesses, road users and individuals affected by the scheme a chance to comment on the proposals.

Mr Brown added: “The Scottish Government has given a clear commitment to dual the A96 by 2030, delivering around 86 miles of upgraded road between Inverness and Aberdeen.

“Dualling the route is a significant undertaking which requires careful, in-depth planning and design to ensure that we deliver the right scheme to help tackle congestion and provide better journey time reliability and road safety for all users.

“As a signal of that commitment, we are now providing locals and road users the opportunity to view the preferred option for the 30 km Inverness to Nairn including Nairn Bypass scheme.

“I would urge anyone with an interest to attend one of the exhibitions in October and comment on our plans.

“We expect to appoint a design consultant early next year to develop the preferred option and expect to publish draft orders for the scheme in 2016.”