Design experts will be appointed to upgrade the A90 Laurencekirk junction as a decade-long campaign for a flyover moves a step closer.
Earlier this year, ministers bowed to local activists and announced a £24 million funding package to improve the notorious crossing.
Now, Transport Minister Derek Mackay has announced plans to appoint consultants to “get on with designing the scheme”, although he cautioned “there is still a lot of development work to be carried out”.
Local campaigners, who began arguing for safety improvements at the junction as long ago as 2004, have welcomed the progress.
Jill Fotheringham, who started the petition for a grade-separated junction to connect the A937 to the A90, said: “I am absolutely delighted.
“Any progress is good progress. Of course, I wish it could have happened sooner but this is definitely good news.
“I would just like to see the diggers going in.”
The road upgrade is part of £504m of investments allocated to the north-east of Scotland to improve infrastructure and attract jobs.
Mr Mackay added: “We recently announced £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of Aberdeen’s City Deal.
“We are committed to completing this important upgrade for the people of the north east as soon as possible and Transport Scotland will now seek to appoint consultants and get on with designing the scheme.
“There is still a lot of development work to be carried out and we will continue to work together with our partners to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.”
As a result of MsFotheringham’s petition in 2004, which attracted 6,711 signatures, the speed limit on the A90 at Laurencekirk was reduced to 50 miles an hour the following year.
However, she rejected views that this was enough to make the junction safe and continued to fight for a flyover.
A second petition, started in 2008, had more than 11,000 signatures.
A breakthrough was made last July when Nestrans’ Access to Laurencekirk report showed that an upgrade to a grade-separated junction was the preferred option for improving the A90 at Laurencekirk.
