The main stretch of the AWPR is now open!

The day has arrived – the opening of the main stretch of the AWPR.

That’s the road between Stonehaven and Craibstone – a 31km route which forms 85% of the bypass.

It’s effectively been ready since October, but red tape meant it couldn’t open until today.

Contractors are still hoping the whole thing - including the problem bridge over the Don - will be ready by the end of the year, but they admit that is "challenging."

They've revealed the whole thing has cost over £1bn – but the project was agreed at a set price of £745million. Builders have got a claim in for extra costs because of delays they claim are down to utility works and the weather.

It comes after weeks of intensive talks between Transport Secretary Michael Matheson and Aberdeen Roads Limited.

Here’s how it’s going to work this morning:

A phased approach will be used by Police Scotland to open the junctions. Initially starting at Craibstone being open to traffic, with Stonehaven, Charleston, Deeside, Kingswells South and Kingswells North (A90 southbound exit slip road only) following shortly thereafter Cleanhill Junction, which links the new A90 with the new section of the A956 will also open as part of this process.

For safety reasons, there will be no access to the northbound AWPR from Kingswells North until the final section of road is complete.

A route for traffic travelling between Craibstone and Parkhill has been agreed with the local road authorities, which will be in place until the works at the River Don Crossing are complete and this remaining section opens to traffic.

Road users should travel east from Craibstone using the A96, then northbound onto the A92 until they reach Blackdog Junction where they can re-join the AWPR to Parkhill or continue north on the new A90 Balmedie to Tipperty section. The reverse journey should be used for those wishing to travel south to Craibstone.

New permanent traffic signals at Stonehaven, Charleston, Deeside, Kingswells and Craibstone will become operational overnight before the new sections open,

The traffic signals will be monitored to ensure the junctions are operating as anticipated, and there may be a requirement to alter the timings of the signals to help traffic flow.

"This investment 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.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said:

“It will provide thousands of drivers every day with a range of benefits, including improved journey time reliability, better local access and reduced congestion, while safety will also be enhanced. It will also improve air quality and reduce traffic volume in Aberdeen City, making pedestrian and cycle travel around Aberdeen easier, safer and a more enjoyable experience.

“We would like to thank local communities, road users and businesses from across the north east and beyond who have been extremely patient while these works were on-going and discussions were underway regarding the contract variation required for this new section to open.

“The full benefits of these works will be realised when the remaining section of the project between Craibstone and Parkhill also opens to traffic. This investment 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.”

"We believe it will bring huge benefits to Aberdeen by enabling faster journey times for commuters and help us to unlock the economic potential of the wider north-east region.”

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, Councillor Douglas Lumsden said: “We are pleased this important section of the AWPR/B-T is now ready to open, it is a significant step forward.

“Aberdeen City Council is investing £75 million in the project as part of our Regional Economic Strategy and £1 billion of investment in the city, and we believe it will bring huge benefits to Aberdeen by enabling faster journey times for commuters and help us to unlock the economic potential of the wider north-east region.”

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Councillor Jim Gifford added: “These new sections of the AWPR will quickly become essential routes for the many people who live and work in the area, as well as those coming to visit the north east of Scotland.

“Aberdeenshire Council has invested £75million in the delivery of this project and I am pleased to see us reach this stage of the development.

"These new sections of the AWPR will quickly become essential routes for the many people who live and work in the area"

“I would encourage everybody to take time to familiarise themselves with the new sections to see how they might benefit from the various improvements they will bring in terms of journey times, local access and reduced congestion.”

Steve Szalay, Managing Director, Aberdeen International Airport, said:

“The opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is a key milestone in the development of the north-east region. As an airport, we are excited to welcome a new audience from the north and south of the city to our revitalised terminal, as our transformation project enters the final phase.

“Other large scale projects like the Aberdeen Harbour expansion, the development of The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) arena and our own investment at the airport culminates in a tangible excitement that is felt around the city. This huge piece of infrastructure heralds a bold new chapter in our city’s, and the surrounding region’s, bright future.”

These new sections follow road openings between Balmedie and Tipperty, in August 2018, Parkhill and Blackdog, in June 2018, and the Craibstone Roundabout and Dyce Drive section, in September 2016.