Work on the multi-million-pound upgrade of the Aberdeen to Dyce railway line will begin within weeks, Network Rail has confirmed.
The line will be closed from May 12 to August 20 as engineers overhaul the line to improve services between the east coast and the north.
That will temporarily increase some journey times and buses will replace trains between Aberdeen and Dyce during the works.
Once complete, however, the wider Scottish Government-funded Aberdeen to Inverness Improvement Project will provide a day-time hourly commuter service between Inverness and Elgin by December 2018 and a half-hourly service between Aberdeen and Inverurie by the end of 2019.
During the 14-week closure, engineers will work to double the track and carry out bridge upgrades and signalling enhancements.
Network Rail’s Billy McKay said: “This project and the new services it will enable will help to improve the flexibility the railway can offer the expanding communities around Aberdeen – opening up new job and leisure opportunities.
“We understand the inconvenience these works will cause to some passengers and residents.
“Such a significant investment in the railway cannot, however, be delivered without this short-term closure of the line.
“We are encouraging customers to leave extra time for travel and plan journeys in advance.”