The reduction from 60 to 40mph is needed to protect road users and workers during an upgrade.

Transport Scotland said rescheduling the current timetable for the project would cause further delays.

The total cost of the dualling project was originally estimated to cost £197m.

It was previously hoped the six-mile stretch south of Inverness could be upgraded by the end of 2027.

Work on the Tomatin to Moy section had to be retendered last year after only one company showed interest.

The Scottish government said in February it had been forced to retender the Tomatin to Moy dualling project.

Fergus Ewing calls for a detailed timetable of the planned upgrades to the Inverness-Perth road.

The 18-year-old, who was the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday.