Transport chiefs have unveiled new details about the way they plan to end gridlock at Aberdeen’s notorious Haudagain roundabout.
Scottish Government minister Derek Mackay said that construction of the new dual carriageway link road was expected to be complete by the end of 2019.
New images of the plans go on display at the Provost Henry E Rae Community Centre today and tomorrow.
Mr Mackay said: “Our commitment to improving transport infrastructure across the north east has been steadfast, with construction of the AWPR now well and truly under way and expected to finish by winter 2017 – investment worth nearly three quarters of a billion pounds which will bring enormous economic benefits as well as tackle congestion around Scotland’s oil and gas capital.
“Construction work to remove the bottleneck at Inveramsay bridge on the A96 is also progressing well, £170 million of improvements to the Aberdeen-Inverness rail line is coming down the line, and work to dual the entire A96 is moving ahead – all good news for transport in the north east.
“We have also been steadfast in our commitment to improve traffic at the Haudagain roundabout to provide much needed relief to drivers and communities in the area.
“Having let local communities view and comment on the scheme’s preferred route last year, draft road orders for the scheme are now published. This will ensure we are ready to hit the ground running and start work at Haudagain once the AWPR is complete, with construction at Haudagain expected to take around two years.
“Enhanced community spaces are also important for the health and wellbeing of local communities, so we are proposing a ‘green lung’ area for people living in Middlefield.
“The new combined open space areas will provide two new play parks for locals, landscaped tree planting and paths to link up the existing and proposed Manor Avenue. We will work closely with Aberdeen City Council to ensure that the new open space areas meet the needs of locals.”
The virtual reality model fly-through video is indicative and based on the current design for the scheme.