A string of north-east roads will be officially “de-trunked” and brought under council control next week.
From Monday, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils will be handed responsibility for parts of the old A90 – now the A92 and B977 – and the A96, following the opening of the AWPR.
It means that the local authorities, rather than Transport Scotland, will have to maintain the stretches and ensure they are gritted and lit.
Aberdeen City Council will take over the A92 from Charleston to the Haudagain roundabout and through to Blackdog.
It will also be responsible for maintaining the A96, stretching from the Haudagain to Craibstone.
Meanwhile Aberdeenshire Council will look over the old A90 between Balmedie and the Newburgh road junction, and it will be renamed the B977.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The transfer of these roads will enable the local authorities to adapt local transport to better fit with local needs.
“The level of strategic traffic, such as long distance heavy goods vehicles, using them is expected to significantly decrease.
“This change follows discussions with both local authorities before the draft orders were published in 2007.
“Discussions are being finalised on a one-off settlement payment to enable the local authorities to maintain these sections of road to an agreed standard, as part of the de-trunking process.”
It has been estimated by the administration that the annual cost to Aberdeen Council of maintaining the stretches of road will be £770,000.
