A project to widen one of the north-east’s busiest roads has taken another step forward.
Transport Scotland is seeking design consultants to work on route options for the dualling of the A96 between Aberdeen and Huntly.
However last year the organisation said it would be 2019 before a “preferred option” for the Aberdeenshire leg of the roads project was identified.
Proposals being considered by the body for the “eastern section” of the A96 route that links Inverness and the Granite City include a dual carriageway from Blackburn to just north of Huntly, passing to the west of Inverurie and close to the Bennachie Forest.
Another is a smaller eastern bypass connecting Inverurie and the Glens of Foudland.
Both would be delivered alongside the wider improvements, which largely follow the current A96 route with changes around Inverurie, Elgin and Forres.
Transport Scotland has committed to dualling the Inverurie-Inverness road by 2030.
The contract for the design consultancy work is expected to be awarded later in the year.
Cabinet Secretary for the economy, jobs and fair work, Keith Brown said: “This major contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that will bring to the north-east and the Highlands, including improved journey time and reliability, improved connectivity and improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting Scotland’s two most northerly cities.
“When this contract is awarded later this year, design work for the eastern section will step up a gear with route option assessment work getting underway.
“This contract will also provide the successful bidders with steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work, so it will be a boost for the local and national economy.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We are currently at the very early stages of the dualling design and assessment process for the section of the A96 east of Huntly to Aberdeen (eastern section), with no route options having been developed at this stage.
“Route options for the eastern section will be developed at the next stage of the design and assessment process which is planned to start following the appointment of design consultants later this year and will take around two years to complete.”
