Bypass section open to drivers

After decades in the planning and hundreds of millions of pounds – motorists are finally driving on the Aberdeen bypass.

The Craibstone and Dyce Drive junctions on the long-awaited route are now open.

And later today the first traffic will also be allowed to use the £15.2million airport link road which is part of the massive infrastructure project designed to keep the north-east moving for years to come.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)– which is due to be completed by the end of next year – will run

“Benefits from the project are becoming a reality”

from the A90 at Stonehaven and Charleston in the south to Blackdog in the north.

The Craibstone and Dyce Drive junctions have been created by building a new roundabout and replacing another with permanent traffic lights.

Last night, Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said: “Early benefits from the project are becoming a reality, with improved road safety in this area and better journey time reliability.

“Along with Aberdeen City Council’s airport link road which is due to open today, they will improve travel in the local area.”

That

the Aberdeen bypass is finally being built will not have been lost on north-east commuters over the past 12 months or so.

But the fact traffic is finally using the city’s long-awaited western peripheral route is a real milestone moment.

Only a tiny section of the road is open, but thousands of drivers who have spent more time gridlocked than they would care to remember can see light at the end of the tunnel.

The project has, of course, been on the drawing board since just after World War II, at a time when the original £1million bill was considered too expensive.

Better late than never – even at £745million.