Public likely to have to wait until next year for A96 decision.
Government looking set to build new section of road, but campaigners say adding to existing road would be cheaper and more eco-friendly.
It could be 2020 before the delayed decision over improvements to the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness is made.
Currently it looks most likely plans will be approved to build new sections of road in the Inverurie area.
Local campaigners however have opposed this idea.
A96 Action believe adding lanes to the existing road would not only be cheaper - using price scales from the AWPR - it would also produce significantly less carbon emissions throughout the next 30 years, via building and use.
The group have also opposed the idea as they believe it will damage countryside and local farms, splitting them apart.
Lorna Anderson from the group said:
"In production terms, that means 77 split fields. In people terms that means split families."
"The proposed violet route would have a cost of around ÂŁ320 million, whereas the online route through Inverurie, using the existing road, would cost around ÂŁ132 million - roughly 40%"
"This proposal has the highest possible C02 emissions."