Completion date for Haudagain improvement project delayed
Developers are blaming the pandemic, supply chain issues and recent storms for the hold up
Last updated 21st Dec 2021
Completion of work on the A92/A96 Haudagain improvement project has been delayed to the end of March next year.
The project which will look to reduce congestion around the notorious Haudagain roundabout was scheduled to be finished by this winter.
But developers say impacts from the pandemic, supply chain issues and recent storms have caused the delays.
A local MSP has branded the delay a "kick in the teeth".
A large portion of the remaining work, including the layering of road surfacing, couldn't be completed during the recent storm Arwen and Storm Barra.
It means road users will have to put up with road works delays for another few months.
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said:
“The construction of the A92/A96 Haudagain Improvement project is well advanced and remains within budget. The latest information from our contractor now indicates an anticipated date for completion of works allowing roads to open to traffic by the end of March 2022.
“The contractor has reported impacts to programme critical work within the previous month due to adverse weather from Storm Arwen and Storm Barra. Until these recent events our contractor had been able to maintain an anticipated completion date within the Winter 2021 period, despite the challenges posed throughout 2021 by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and industry-wide supply chain issues.
“We have consistently highlighted the potential risk such events could have in causing a delay to the expected completion date for this project. Likewise this revised date remains subject to no further disruption from events such as adverse weather or impacts from the ongoing pandemic.”
Scottish Conservative north-east MSP Liam Kerr, who raised concerns with Nicola Sturgeon at FMQs earlier this month, said: “I’m extremely disappointed that the Haudagain Improvement Scheme has been delayed for a sixth time.
“The Scottish Government have fed the public countless completion dates that haven’t been met and this is another to add to the long list.
“This latest delay is a kick in the teeth to the people of Aberdeen who have now waited 15 years for one of Europe’s worst roundabouts to be upgraded.
“It now raises questions if the next completion date will be met and whether it will burst the budget like so many other past SNP projects such as the AWPR.
“I will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the north-east gets value for money.”
Commenting further on the construction of the project, Mr Dey said:
“I understand the completion of this project is keenly anticipated by local people, not least to lessen the impacts from its construction. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding to date and assure them Transport Scotland continues to engage with the contractor as they work to finish the work as quickly and safely as possible.
“We are also keen that local people and those using the route benefit from the improvements it will bring with reduced congestion, a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists as well as improved journey time reliability. We will continue to keep local people, Parliament, and stakeholders up to date with progress on the project.”