The government has announced the scheme to dual the A1 in Northumberland will not go ahead.
The previous Conservative administration gave the green light to the projectfor the stretch between Morpeth and Ellingham in May, having previously postponed it three times.
Documents published after the chancellor’s budget address to the House of Commons revealed the Department for Transport had deemed the scheme "unfunded and unaffordable".
Louis Fell, a land agent for many of the farmers affected, has called the decision "absolutely heartbreaking" for the county.
"So much money has already been spent, on buying properties and land, on surveys and plans," Mr Fell added. "It just seems criminal not to go ahead."
Northumberland County Council Deputy Leader Richard Wearmouth said he was "shocked" at the cancellation and called the decision "incredibly disappointing".
He added the Conservative-run council would campaign to get the project "back up and running at the earliest opportunity".
"The project was literally shovel ready," Wearmouth said.
"The scheme is of vital importance to our local and regional economy.
"It would strengthen the Union in terms of better links to Scotland and it would significantly improve safety for Northumberland residents."
He said he would contact National Highways to make sure work done so far was not "squandered" .
The A1 dualling scheme was first raised more than 15 years ago and has already cost at least £67m, although construction has not begun.
One man whose family farm was bought to make way for the project said he was "disgusted" at the amount of money spent.
Martin Beal's family had lived at Charlton Mires since 1904, but their home was bought by National Highways.
His wife Amanda has since died of cancer and Mr Beal says the stress over the A1 made her last months more difficult.
The situation has left them in a state of uncertainty as they can not get planning permission to build a new property until their old one is demolished.
"The whole thing is just a joke, I don't know what they're going to do with my family home," Mr Beal said.
"What an incredible waste of money."
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