Advance works on the Haudagain bypass project could move forward ahead of the completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, according to a national transport body.
Transport Scotland said they were “reviewing options” for the advance works, but rejected any possibility of starting the main operation before the £745million Aberdeen bypass was completed this winter.
The city’s Liberal Democrat group had previously called for the work to be completed while the AWPR works were ongoing.
Last week, Scottish Government Transport Minister Humza Yousaf hailed a “major milestone” in the multimillion-pound infrastructure project, aimed at relieving pressure on a notorious Aberdeen bottleneck.
An £18million contract has been advertised for the construction industry to bid for the Haudagain bypass.
The project involves the construction of approximately 500 metres of new dual carriageway connecting the A90 North Anderson Drive and the A96 Auchmill Road.
In addition to reducing congestion and improving journey-time reliability, the project aims to bring about an improvement in road safety and provide new pedestrian and cycling routes through the local area.
Last night, Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill said: “We asked two or three years ago if advance works would be possible, so this is an issue that has been bubbling away for a while.
“It’s encouraging to hear that the works could be speeded up, so that traffic can move more smoothly.”
Council administration transport spokesman Ross Grant said: “This administration strongly believes the Scottish Government should have delivered a solution to the Haudagain Roundabout years ago.
“There can be no unnecessary delay to commencement of works and the Scottish Government should stop dithering and do what it can to commence all feasible preparatory works in advance of substantive construction.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman responded: “The Scottish Government has repeatedly stated that improvements to Haudagain will commence on completion of the AWPR – estimated for winter 2017-18 – and we remain committed to that.
“As the AWPR is predicted to reduce traffic levels on the existing A90 in the vicinity of Haudagain, it is important to await completion of the AWPR before commencing work at Haudagain to avoid making existing traffic congestion worse.
“However, we are currently reviewing options to progress advance works at Haudagain to ensure the main works can progress promptly and as efficiently as possible when the AWPR is completed.”
