The demolition of Aberdeen City Council’s former headquarters is back on track after work fell about two months behind schedule.
Project manager Andrew Sproull said specialist contractor Safedem had now adapted its plans for clearing the St Nicholas House site.
The hold-up was due to the time it took for Scottish Water to switch off the water supply.
The company said the water connection proved to be “complex” as it was previously a shared supply with the historic Provost Skene’s House.
Safedem was left between eight and nine weeks off schedule as a result, but the Dundee-based firm is now confident the April 2014 deadline will be met.
It is understood recent bad weather also held up progress.
Mr Sproull also said new equipment – capable of reaching up to the 10th floor from ground level – would be brought on site. Other machines could extend only to the sixth floor.
The roof of the 14-storey building has already been removed. The remainder of the tower block, which is surrounded by scaffolding, will be dismantled section by section, in 12 stages.
Mr Sproull said: “Remote-controlled Brokk machines will be used to reduce the building down to level 10, which should be about the third week in January.”
After that, there is likely to be temporary road closures at Flourmill Lane and Broad Street, but probably for only one night apiece.
Mr Sproull added the project, which is estimated to cost about £3.7million, was not likely to go over budget.
The site is due to be handed over in April to Muse Developments Ltd, which has £100million plans for a hotel, offices and retail scheme.