The first section of trunk road to open on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is expected to be a new seven kilometre section between Goval and Blackdog – which could open next week.
A temporary road order covering the stretch of road will come into force next Monday, enabling it to open any time once complete.
Final preparation works are currently ongoing to ensure the road is ready for use before the section opens to traffic.
Once these checks have been completed an opening date will be confirmed.
This link between Blackdog Junction and Goval Junction will improve access to and from Goval.
Blackdog Junction opened to local traffic last month and the link with Goval Junction will further improve access towards Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh for road users.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work with the contractor, Aberdeen Roads Limited, to open new sections of road as they become available.
“We are now at a stage where we are able to publish a road order for a seven kilometre section between Goval and Blackdog and are confident that this will open in advance of the rest of the new trunk road, which is scheduled to open in late Autumn 2018.
“When we are able to confirm when this section can open to traffic, we will inform road users and local communities across the north east at the earliest opportunity, who have been very understanding while these works have been underway.”
The speed limit between Goval and Blackdog will be 70mph. However, the road order enables the contractor to reduce the speed limit to 50mph or 40mph, where appropriate should further construction works be required.