The long awaited Third Don Crossing will finally open to traffic next week.
The £22.3million bridge, spanning the River Don between Danestone and Tillydrone, has been delayed numerous times and a final date was set for June 17.
But yesterday, council chiefs revealed the bridge will open next Thursday – with Lord Provost George Adam to be the first to cross.
Pupils at Riverbank primary in Tillydrone and Danestone primary in Bridge of Don voted that the link, around £3million over its original budget, will be named the Diamond Bridge in honour of the city’s royal connections.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing will cut the ribbon in front of the children and VIP guests, while Mr Adam will be the first person driven over the new crossing.
Bridge of Don councillor Willie Young said the bridge was a “integral part” of the city’s multi-million pound regeneration programme.
The finance convener said: “We are in the process of delivering the biggest regeneration project in the city’s history and the Third Don is a key part of this process – a process which will see roads, housing, power, digital and culture in Aberdeen transformed for future generations.
“The Third Don Crossing is an integral part of this administration’s investment in road infrastructure and our aim now is to link this new bridge to the Berryden Corridor project in order to ease congestion and speed up journey times for people who live and work in the city. We are determined to make this happen and believe we are on course to do this.”
There have been numerous delays, which commenced in November 2014, including one in January being caused by the death of workman Ian Walker during construction.
Mr Young added: “This project has been a challenge, particularly for the two areas of Tillydrone and Danestone, which have been most closely affected by the work.
“On behalf of this administration, I would like to thanks those communities for their patience.
“It will fundamentally improve the lives of everyone who lives in and around Aberdeen.”
SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: “I think everyone, and particularly nearby residents, will be delighted that an end date has finally been set.
“This has been ongoing for far too long and now we must turn our attention to learning lessons from this.”
