A new report shows that the Aberdeen bypass project has cost two north-east local authorities more than £82million since 2013.
The report by Aberdeenshire Council has revealed that the local authority and neighbouring Aberdeen City Council have spent £41,095,721 each on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route during the last three years.
Between January 1, 2013 and August 31, 2016, the two councils collectively spent £82,191,442.
Transport Scotland – which is funding the £745million, 36-mile scheme – has incurred £9,149,135 of costs within the same time frame, bringing the total from all three organisations to £91,340,577.
Both local authorities have paid out £8,878,864 on professional services, £9,693,313 on legal and compensation fees and £3,703,571 on advance works.
Both also spent £18,385,711 on utilities and £434,262 on surveys.
The report has further highlighted the maximum amount the councils can spend on the AWPR has been capped at £75million each.
Aberdeen City Council finance convener, Willie Young, said: “The Scottish Government forced the local authorities to chip in £75million. What we are doing is we are paying our contributions towards the new road.”
He added that local residents “want the road” and added the council was “delighted to be contributing towards it”.
The Labour councillor admitted: “It is a lot of money. The most important thing for us is it gets done on time and shows Aberdeen city and shire are open for business.
“It is going to help us drive the economic development of the city.
“What we did successfully is protect council taxpayers. If there is any overspend on that road, the council is not liable. No matter what, the cost of the project is no more than £75million.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We are pressing ahead to deliver this much needed road scheme which is set against a raft of infrastructure improvements for the north-east.
“The local economy needs every stimulus and our investment in the AWPR/B-T (Balmedie – Tipperty) project is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 jobs over the next 30 years.”
Richard Thomson, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s policy and resources committee, added: “The progress made to date is excellent. People are looking forward to seeing it open.
“It will be a tremendous boost to the economy of the north-east when it does. I am just happy to see the public sector coming together to see the project is delivered.”
The AWPR is due to be completed next winter.
The report will be discussed by Aberdeenshire Council’s policy and resources committee next Thursday.
