Aberdeen City Council has unveiled plans to build a new bridge over the River Dee.
Options for the multimillion-pound crossing aimed at easing the gridlock at the notorious bottleneck at Garthdee will be put out to public consultation for a month.
Local authority chiefs have tabled a trio of designs – which would all retain the 16th century Bridge of Dee as a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
One option – named concept 6 – would involve a new dual carriageway link road between Garthdee Road and the A90 Aberdeen-Dundee route.
It would include a cable bridge; improvements to Garthdee Road to allow two lanes in both directions and the widening of the existing Bridge of Dee road.
Concept 6B contains all the elements of Concept 6 with the addition of a new link road between Inchgarth Road and the A93 North Deeside Road.
Concept 7 would include a new arch bridge with junction improvements and single carriageway link road between Leggart Terrace and the A90.
No cost has been revealed but the bill for the project is likely to run into tens of millions of pounds.
Torry-Ferryhill councillor Alan Donnelly, who has just been promoted to the role of city council finance vice-convener, said a new bridge was “much needed” but may involve compulsory purchase orders.
He said: “We currently have a 16th century bridge dealing with 21st century traffic – it’s so old there are alcoves for dunking witches on it.
“I’ve supported a new bridge on the Dee for some time because it’s vital that residents can have easy access and that gridlock is reduced there.
“Similarly the Don Crossing is definitely needed but we will be sure to manage this one differently.
“Coming with the AWPR and all the other works it should speed up access through the city.”
Opposition SNP group leader Stephen Flynn, who represents Kincorth-Nigg-Cove, said the need for a new crossing on the Dee was “well known” but added that council chiefs should learn lessons from the Third Don Crossing “fiasco”.
He said: “I would encourage everyone with a view to get involved in this consultation.
“While this project is different from the Don Crossing I still think the council should learn lessons from the fiasco of that project and make sure this one is delivered on schedule and within budget.
“I think everyone is well aware of the bottleneck problems in that part of the city and people will be glad to see some action taken.”
But last night Garthdee Community Council chairman Paul O’Connor branded option 6 “absolute nonsense” and the group could never support it.
He said: “There are really two options and one is totally unacceptable to us, local residents and the whole community.
“The one that goes through Garthdee is an absolute no-no, it would make all the problems we have even worse.
“I prefer the bridge alongside the existing bridge.
“I do not agree with any link road adjoining Leggart. That would only cause additional problems.
“It should be a straightforward bridge alongside the existing one coming from Stonehaven road on to the bridge on to the Anderson Drive dual.
“Absolutely nothing must come through Garthdee.”
The consultation material is available to view on Aberdeen City Council website and exhibitions are to be held at Inchgarth Community Centre, on Tuesday from noon-8pm, and at South Holburn Church on Wednesday, also from noon-8pm.
The consultation runs from May 17 to June 17.
Congestion easing projects
A new bridge over the Dee would be latest in a series of projects designed to ease congestion in the oil capital of Europe.
Delivered and planned by different agencies and organisations, they have enjoyed varying degrees of success and public support.
Warnings were issued yesterday that the bridge over the Dee must not go the same way as the new £22.3million Third Don Crossing currently under construction – which is £3million over budget and six months overdue.
Construction is continuing on the long-awaited £749million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, which Scottish Government transport chiefs say will significantly reduce gridlock in the city.
Plans for the road were first tabled in 1952 to replace the old “bypass” – Anderson Drive – which the city had outgrown.
Once it is completed, work will begin on the “Haudagain bypass”, a link road through Aberdeen’s Logie area allowing motorists to avoid the notorious roundabout.
This week the Press and Journal revealed that just 20 of the 136 households which need to be moved for the £30million scheme remain at the site, raising hopes of a potential early start.
City council transport and regeneration spokesman Councillor Ross Grant said: “The Bridge of Dee has long been a bottleneck for motorists so it is important that this project is moving on.
“Along with the other major infrastructure projects Aberdeen City Council is investing £150million including the AWPR, the Third Don Crossing, the A96 Park and Choose and Airport Link Road, and the Berryden Corridor, this scheme should make a big difference transforming connectivity for residents, commuters and visitors getting around the city.
“We would encourage as many people as possible to look at the proposals and let us know what they think either through the website or during the exhibitions.”
