The business case for a northern relief road in Ipswich has been delayed until at least 2019, it has emerged.
Suffolk County Council had confirmed on a number of occasions that the end of 2018 timescale was one it was still working towards.
Now, project chiefs say this is unlikely to be completed by January.
A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “Whilst it is unlikely that a business case will be with the Department for Transport by the end of next month, work is continuing on studies and assessments which will result in a strategic outline business case.
“There will be further stakeholder engagement and a consultation on this next year.”
It is not yet clear what the revised timetable is for the business case being ready.
The spokesman added that the work was taking longer than expected.
The planned northern relief road would run across the top of Ipswich and connect the A14 to the north west of the town with the A12 to the north east.
It is hoped it would ease congestion problems in Ipswich – particularly when the Orwell Bridge is closed and traffic, including lorries, has to divert through the town centre.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here