The bus port at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is receiving a facelift, worth nearly £60,000, after gaining approval from the health board.
NHS Grampian confirmed the work would increase safety and make the amenity easier to use.
The revamp will be carried out at the same time as construction of the new multi-story patient car park, following the sanctioning of the £58,000 investment at a meeting of the NHS Grampian endowments committee on Friday.
The upgrade will involve the installation of safety barriers, a pelican crossing and the widening of both the road and turning area.
Paul Allen, general manager of facilities and estates at NHS Grampian, confirmed new signage, bus stops and bus shelters would also be added to help make the area clearer and easier to use for passengers.
He said: “Currently, more than 70 buses an hour use it at peak times and, even during quieter times, there are between 15 and 25 an hour, so it is a very busy place.
“When the new multi-storey car park is completed later in the year, we expect more people to use the main entrance to ARI, so we wanted to see what could be done to improve the area in advance of that.
“This will be welcome news for patients, staff and visitors. In addition to making the area more user friendly, it will enhance pedestrian safety and eliminate the need for people to walk on the road when pavements are crowded with waiting bus passengers.”
He added: “We will be able to deliver these improvements alongside the construction work that’s ongoing just now – which will allow us to keep any additional disruption to a minimum.”
