Calls have been made for an investigation into Aberdeen City Council’s handling of the Third Don Crossing project.
Deputy opposition leader Graham Dickson last night warned the city could become a “laughing stock” due to the overdue and over-budget project.
And he said auditors should not be called in to find “everything that’s gone wrong” with the £22.3million project.
The crossing, linking Bridge of Don and Tillydrone, was due to be completed in March but has already been delayed numerous times and is running about £3million above budget.
A two-month contract extension with contractor Balfour Beattie was signed last month.
But a source within the building firm has told the Press and Journal he expects the long-awaited bridge, first mooted in 2003 and soil broken in 2014, not to be finished until “July at the earliest”.
Last night Mr Dickson said: “The whole process behind the Third Don Crossing is now bordering on disastrous and a further blow to the reputation of this administration.
“We are calling for the council to scrutinise every detail of this project which is millions of pounds over budget and months overdue.
“I think that locally this undermines the citizen’s of Aberdeen’s confidence in their council and nationally we are being made a laughing stock.
“There needs to be answers as to what has gone wrong.”
But the council’s vice convener Ross Thomson accused the SNP of “blatant politicking” and questioned the timing of the call.
He said: “We are in the throes of an election and it is not surprising the opposition have tried to grab an easy headline.
“They are elected councillors like everyone else and have the same access to information.
“Nobody wants to see this completed quicker than I do.
“While the bridge has been delayed by a few more months I think the people of Aberdeen will be happy we are getting on with
it while the last SNP administration sat on their hands.”
