A timetable for dualling the A1 north of Morpeth will be published next month.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has said that a five-year Delivery Plan will be produced, setting out the detailed programme.
He has also revealed that design and development work for dualling the road between Morpeth and Ellingham has already begun, with construction scheduled to start in 2020.
“I recognise the dualling of the A1 has been a long-standing call of communities and businesses, and I am pleased this scheme is now progressing to transform connectivity on the eastern side of the country and support the creation of 2,000 new jobs and 12,000 new homes, as well as attract new business to Northumberland,” he said.
The comments came in a response to a request from Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Berwick Julie Porksen for a clear timetable of work.
She said: “This is good news for the many local residents who have told me that they want know what is happening and want to feed into the consultation process before the A1 is dualled.
“Concerns have been raised that the design must take into account the need for the dualled A1 to be a safe road for local traffic, including buses, farm traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and horses.
“I have also asked the Highways Agency and Northumberland County Council to make sure that the A1068, A697 and any other roads to be used as diversions during the build are considered in the plan to dual the A1 so that they are made both safe and free-flowing before the actual building work on the A1 starts.”