The Scottish Government has formally abandoned its pledge to fully dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness by 2030.
The commitment, which was first made by the SNP in 2011, has now a new proposal has been tabled by Transport Scotland which would see partial dualing at key locations.
This would include dualling the bypasses at Elgin and Keith.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said dualling of the entire route remained the government's preference but that it would be delayed, adding that communities should have an opportunity to have a say on the final decision.
It’s a development that has sparked a mixed response, with Chamber chief Russell Borthwick calling for the funds earmarked for the dualling to now be put towards other infrastructure projects in the North-east.
He said: “What matters, above all, is an ambitious strategy to improve transport in the North-east of Scotland and our connectivity to the rest of the country and beyond.
“Whatever the agreed plans are for the future of the A96 it requires upgrading to improve journey times and safety. If that can be achieved sooner with strategic interventions in the immediate term then the government should waste no time in cracking on with those plans.
“What businesses cannot tolerate is years of uncertainty and being strung along with the promise of a dual carriageway that will not be built.
“And if the A96 is not going to be dualled in its entirety, that multibillion budget intended for the project should still be put towards rail, road safety and other key infrastructure that has the potential to transform the North-east economy for the better.”
The BBC reports Ms Hyslop said the final decision had to balance the demands of a challenging economic climate and the climate emergency.
She said: "Since we announced our intention to fully dual the A96 in 2011, a lot has changed, including 14 years of austerity, and ongoing cost pressures that have impacted the Scottish Budget.
"We also agreed to undertake a corridor review, a lengthy and complex process, which has taken longer than initially anticipated because of the huge interest and engagement from the public.
"These delays now mean that we will not complete dualling of the A96 by the original anticipated timeline of 2030."