Ministers have refused to say whether long-awaited improvements to the notorious Haudagain roundabout will be completed this winter as planned.
The interchange – dubbed one of Europe’s worst – is undergoing a major £50 million revamp.
It has already been delayed five times, and was slated to finally be completed this winter 14 years after improvements were first announced.
But the project has been beset by problems in recent months, including a burst gas main and “technical issues” with the road surface.
FM unclear on Haudagain work
Now ministers have failed to rule out further delays – paving the way for months’ more frustration for Aberdeen’s drivers.
Concerns have also been raised about potential impact of more delays on the cost of the project.
North-east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr accused the Scottish Government of “leaving people in the dark” over the future of the roundabout.
“The people of Aberdeen deserve better and have a right to know when the Haudagain improvement scheme will be finished,” he said after pressing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in parliament.
“Time and time again they have been given false hope by this SNP Government who can’t stick to timescales or budgets.
“Motorists in the city have already had to wait 14 years for one of Europe’s worst roundabouts to finally be addressed. However, the exact date is still anyone’s guess.”
14 years of traffic chaos
Ms Sturgeon said she would instruct transport minister Graeme Dey to write to Mr Kerr with a full update on the schedule and costs for the work.
City residents have faced years of disruption at the Haudagain, which links the A92 and A96 and is one of Aberdeen’s busiest spots.
Improvement work has been delayed several times, and a review was carried out in April.
Earlier this year Mr Dey claimed work was “progressing well” despite the problems it had faced.
“It remains that completion is anticipated in winter 2021 as confirmed in the latest infrastructure investment plan update published in June 2021,” he added.
“The A92/A96 Haudagain improvement project is continuing to progress and completion is still anticipated in winter 2021,” a spokeswoman for Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government’s transport agency, said.
“However, this date is subject to any unforeseen circumstances such as the effects of exceptional weather or impact of Covid-19.
“We can confirm that the project remains on budget.”