New images show work progressing in Union Terrace Gardens – with the race on to finish building work by the turn of the year.
Our photos show the new walkway from Union Street leading into the Victorian park (UTG), as well as the new grand staircase coming down from Rosemount Viaduct.
Union Terrace Gardens: New winding walkway from Union Street in place
Union Terrace Gardens: Grand staircase to lead visitors in from Rosemount Viaduct
Progress appears to have been made on the three pavilions – which are said to have been well-received by would-be tenants – as well.
The multi-million-pound overhaul also includes repairs to the balustrades and arches along Union Terrace, events space, a playpark, refurbishment of the Victorian toilets and adds lift access into UTG as well.
Council bosses previously revealed hopes the building and civil engineering work involved in the £28.3 million regeneration project will be finished by New Year.
It had previously been planned that the gardens would reopen this spring.
But site closures caused by Covid lockdowns have meant the window for seasonal planting and landscaping will keep the public out well into 2022.
Hoped to attract people in their droves back to the city centre, the gates will only be reopened once new plants and grass have been allowed to bed in.
Contractor Balfour Beatty came under pressure this summer as it was revealed protected granite from the site had been left, ditched in a private garden unattended.
New Union Bridge safety barriers installed as part of Union Terrace Gardens project
Meanwhile, high winds at the weekend gave us a sneak peak of the new vista from Union Bridge.
Hoardings surrounding the work site were blown over, revealing new safety barriers installed on the B-listed crossing, which is the world’s largest single-span granite bridge.
The construction project does look to be entering a new phase – as the perimeter around the site was reduced on Friday, allowing two-way traffic in Union Terrace for the first time in 21 months.