Works have been completed on a new signalised junction and widening of the B9006, Culloden Road, between Caulfield Road North and the A9.

The Highland Council's £1.522m contract to Wills Bros Ltd., Civil Engineering Contractors has also improved capacity on a key route into the city from the south, which is hoped will reduce traffic congestion.

In addition, the new junction will provide access to the Inverness Campus site from Caulfield Road North and Culloden Road.

The works involved widening the existing road from two to four lanes over its length between Caulfield Road North and the southern approaches to the Inshes over bridge. A new access has also been constructed into the campus. It is thought that once the infrastructure works are complete, the campus access will be pedestrian and cycle only until the first buildings open on site.

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Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of The Highland Council TEC Services Committee said: "I am pleased that works are now completed on Culloden Road and would like to thank everyone who uses this road regularly for their patience. I hope they will be pleased with the results which should make journeys to and from Inverness smoother with more capacity on Culloden Road.

"The new synchronised traffic lights linking the junctions along with the four lanes will also enhance the capacity of this key arterial route into Inverness from the south."

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) contributed £310,000 towards the cost of the contract. It is currently developing the Inverness Campus into a premier business, academic and research location for the region.

Ruaraidh MacNeil, HIE's Director for the Inverness Campus project added: "Inverness Campus will provide a spectacular environment for the local community, students and business people to work and spend leisure time. We are delighted that the Culloden Road improvements around the Campus are now complete.

"As well as providing better conditions for drivers, the plans have been developed to ensure maximum safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and to give priority to passengers on buses.

"The quality of the infrastructure and landscaping at Inverness Campus is something that we think local people will be proud of and it reflects the potential for the Campus to become a world-leading education and business park."

(JP/CD)