The proposed design of the first section of the A9 to be dualled as part of a £3bn project to upgrade the road are to be unveiled to the public.

The Scottish Government plans to make the A9 a dual carriageway from Inverness to Perth, but the first section is a stretch of the road from Kincraig to Dalraddy in the Highlands.

It is valued at approximately £40m and work is expected to begin in 2015/16.

The designs, which also include a new cycle facility at Kincraig, will be on public display in Kincraig Community Hall on Monday 18 November and the MacDonald Hotel in Aviemore on Tuesday 19 November.

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The events will also locals and road users to comment on the proposals.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The A9 Dualling Programme is the most expensive transport project in Scotland's history. One that will exceed the cost of the M74 Completion, Queensferry Crossing and AWPR combined.

"This is an ambitious and challenging programme and we are doing everything possible to deliver improvements and bring forward work where we can.

"We have been working closely with Sustrans and I can also confirm that the Kincraig section will include a new cycle facility as part of a strategy to improve connections for cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians between communities along the A9. This will include upgrades of existing routes and a new connection between Kingussie and Aviemore, of which this forms a part.

"I would encourage anyone with an interest to come along to one of the public exhibitions in mid-November to see our plans and take the opportunity to comment on them."

The entire project, which will involve 80 miles of road, is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

(JP/IT)