The future of the long-awaited Blyth relief road hangs in the balance, with Government funding for the £44 million project yet to be finalised.
Northumberland County Council's cabinet agreed to press ahead with design work for the project, at a cost of £640,000.
However, at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the council's finance chief Jan Willis admitted the work was being done "at risk", with no word as to whether a funding bid to the DfT had been successful.
Read more: Conservatives on course to lose all seats in the North East, poll says
Ms Willis added: "This is something we need to get on with anyway, whether we're able to proceed with funding or not."
Plans to deal with significant congestion problems in Blyth by building the new road have been in the pipeline as far back as 2015. Earlier this year, the council said the road could finally open in 2026.
The authority's preferred option is now a realignment and dualling of the existing A1061 Laverock Hall Road, plus an additional link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive to cut traffic queues along Cowpen Road. Previous routes were deemed undeliverable.
In April, Coun Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for business, insisted the administration remained committed to the project - but warned its completion would hinge on a successful bid for funding from central Government.
Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, Coun Ploszaj said: "This is a critical project to fix and future-proof transport problems in Blyth. It's a very welcome and long-awaited project.
"I believe that this, with the Northumberland Line, will bring a significant impact to the community and the economy of Blyth."
Deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth added: "This is the council getting on with the job of delivering the Blyth Relief Road. We do this work as a calculated risk to make sure we're putting our best foot forward for the people of Blyth."
Read next:
