Specialist equipment has been brought in to bring an end to the gas works that have brought traffic chaos to the south side of Aberdeen.
SGN first began the “emergency” works on Saturday April 27 at the King George VI Bridge and initially expected the repairs to take five days.
But that work is now in its third week and with the bridge and Duthie Park roundabout closed to traffic, buses have been diverted and commuters have struggled to get into the city centre.
Last night the firm said they hoped the works will be completed by Monday – adding that they had been “more complex” than expected.
But David Fryer, who regularly commutes by bus into the city centre from his Torry home, said: “The work is still going on and there seems to be no end in sight.
“The repairs are seriously delaying everything around the south of the city.
“Wellington road can be totally gridlocked, which is only compounding the existing problem with pollution.
“Drivers, not just from the city but from outwith heading for the city centre, are rat-running through smaller streets and causing problems.”
Airyhall, Broomhill and Garthdee councillor Ian Yuill said: “You do wonder how a job that was supposed to take just a few days is now heading into its third week with no guarantees it won’t take even longer.
“This is affecting the whole south of the city. People have told me they are now struggling to get to work or make the school runs.
“It is also affecting bus routes, with some having to use the Bridge of Dee, which isn’t ideal given how narrow it is.
“The sooner this work is done the better.”
SGN spokesman Bradley Barlow said: “We’re continuing emergency repairs to our gas main at the King George VI Bridge in Aberdeen.
“Our work is taking place in the roundabout at the north end of the bridge, at its junction with Riverside Drive.
“Our remaining work is more complex than originally planned and we require specialist equipment to complete it.
“The bridge is currently closed in both directions. The east section of Riverside Drive is also temporarily closed as is Great Southern Road southbound, between Murray Terrace and Riverside Drive.
“The west section of Riverside Drive is only open for eastbound motorists.”