A multi-million-pound scheme to upgrade one of the north-east’s busiest roads will officially start today.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay will break the ground at Inveramsay Bridge this morning to mark the beginning of the £10million project which aims to cut congestion at the notorious bottleneck on the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness route.
It is hoped that by replacing the crossing near Pitcaple and realigning the road, the flow of traffic, which is currently controlled by lights, will be improved.
The work will also reduce the likelihood of large vehicles hitting the bridge, leading to disruption to both road and rail users.
Construction firm Balfour Beatty will carry out the £10million project, which has been in the pipeline since 2007 when local MSP Alex Salmond announced his intention to have the bridge replaced if elected to Holyrood.
The new crossing is due to open in 2016.
Mr Mackay will hail the event as “a significant milestone for road users”.
The news was welcomed by north-east Conservative MSP Nanette Milne. However, she said more needed to be done.
She said: “It is clear that both the A96 and A90 north of Ellon are not fit for purpose in the 21st century and local communities the length of these roads want to see action from the government to duel these roads at the earliest opportunity.
“We will continue to campaign for investment for the A96 and A90 to be brought forward to make the road safer for motorists.
“The north-east is the powerhouse of the Scottish economy yet the region has not seen the investment in the road infrastructure the area so desperately needs.”