Aberdeen bypass expected ahead of schedule

The completion date has been moved forward

The Aberdeen bypass is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, it has been announced.

The £745m project also includes turning the Balmedie to Tipperty stretch of the A90 a dual carriageway.

Work on the bypass was expected to be completed by the spring of 2018. The completion date has now been brought forward to the winter of 2017.

Keith Brown, secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities, hailed the news.

The 28-mile Aberdeen bypass was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009.

It was delayed by legal action.

'Tangible benefits'

Mr Brown said: "This is unprecedented.

"Since overcoming all the legal challenges back in October 2012, we have done all we can to accelerate the procurement and construction.

"Following the shortest procurement processes for a contract of this size and complexity - it has been just 23 months since the contract was put to the market - we have now been able to also bring the completion date forward to winter 2017.

"Our investment in this project is expected to bring in an additional £6bn to the north east economy and create around 14,000 jobs over the next 30 years, including more than 1,000 jobs for the construction industry.

"There will also be tangible benefits for the business community and road users with better journey time reliability and reduced congestion."