£3.2m Broad Street project gets underway

Motorists are reminded that work is to start tomorrow (Saturday 18 March) on a £3.2million project which will transform and revitalise a city centre street into a pedestrian-priority area.

The work on Broad Street, which will improve the streetscape and create an area capable of staging events throughout the year, is part of the City Centre Masterplan.

Part of Broad Street is to close at 5am, initially to allow building work at Marischal Square and thereafter delivery of the first shared-use space under the multi-million pound Masterplan which is a 25-year plan with 50 projects aimed at transforming the city centre.

The works are expected to take several months to complete and Broad Street will be closed to all traffic from Upperkirkgate to Queen Street. Local diversions will be signposted. After the work is finished, the new Broad Street will be pedestrian, cycle and bus only.

In addition, Broad Street from Union Street will remain open to allow access Queen Street, public and ACC staff will continue to have access into Marischal College, and there will always be pedestrian access and through route along Broad Street. Updates will be given as work progresses to public and ACC staff for access to all buildings on Queen Street.

The design for Broad Street includes a water feature, trees and benches, improved lighting, and a raised grass area offering flexible event space in front of Marischal College.

The traffic lights at Upperkirkgate and Gallowgate are to be removed and replaced with a shared surface for vehicles and a roundel - a mini-roundabout where pedestrians are given priority. There will be a Toucan crossing at the Union Street end.