Aberdeen Bypass beams set for delivery

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project is expected to take delivery of 27 large beams between Friday 4 November and Sunday 6 November to enable the contractor to construct the North Deeside Road bridge and Fishermyre to Clayfold Road bridge.

The deliveries for North Deeside Road will take place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November and will include six beams at 44m long, which will have a police escort, and six beams at 29m long, which will be self-escorted.

On Saturday 5 November, the abnormal load trucks for the 29m long beams plan to travel via Wellington Road (A956) before turning left onto West Tullos Road. They will then turn travel onto Great Southern Road and continue to the Bridge of Dee Roundabout.  They will then continue straight ahead onto Leggart Terrace and out the B9077 to Milltimber Brae before travelling up Milltimber Brae to site.

On Sunday 6 November, the abnormal load trucks for the 44m long beams will follow the same route as above. However, for safety reasons, three-way temporary traffic signals will be in operation at Milltimber Brae and South Deeside Road between 9.30am and 3.30pm. While the three separate deliveries are underway, road users could be stopped by a red light for around 15 minutes while the abnormal load trucks reverse up Milltimber Brae.

Local parking restrictions will be in place to allow the beams to be safely unloaded from the delivery vehicles and placed into position.

The deliveries for the Fishermyre to Clayfolds Road Bridge (U88K) will involve fifteen 33m long beams, which are expected on Friday 4 November and Saturday 5 November.

The abnormal load trucks plan to travel north via the A90 before turning left onto Auquorthies (Auquorthies to Ury Road – U89K), just after the Stonehaven Junction. They will then travel along the narrow road before entering the site, where they will then continue along the haul route until they reach the location of the new bridge.

As part of these works, and beam installation, Fishermyre to Clayfolds Road (U88K) is planned to close between 6am Friday 4 November until 8pm on Friday 11 November. A diversion will be sign-posted.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said:

“The contractor has been working closely with Police Scotland and the local authorities to minimise any inconvenience that may be caused due to these beam deliveries. They are due to take place between 9.30am and 3.30pm when the roads are expected to be quieter.

“Road users should however be aware that for the North Deeside Road beam delivery, the temporary traffic signals required at Milltimber Brae and South Deeside Road on Sunday 6 November could stay on red for around 15 minutes on three separate occasions, for safety reasons, while the 44m long beams are being reversed up Milltimber Brae.

“Our primary concern is for the safety of the local community, road users and workers during these deliveries and it is therefore necessary to stop any traffic from using this road while the deliveries are underway. It would be worthwhile for road users to consider using a different route, if possible.

“The beam deliveries for the Fishermyre to Clayfolds Road (U88K) will involve a difficult left turn from the A90 onto Auquorthies (Auquorthies to Ury Road - U89K), so road users travelling north should expect police officers to slow them down or bring them to a stop while this manoeuvre is taking place.

“All beam deliveries are integral to the project, which will have 75 principal structures, including two river crossings, one railway bridge, and over 70 culverts. A significant number of these deliveries are expected over the next six months or so.

“We would like to thank road users and the local community for their on-going support and patience during the construction work.”

The dates given are accurate at the time of issue but are subject to change at short notice.

The AWPR/B-T project 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, including more than 1,000 jobs for the construction industry. There will also be tangible benefits for the business community and road users with better journey time reliability and reduced congestion.

More information on major traffic management works being undertaken on behalf of the AWPR/B-T can be found on the project site at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route/traffic-management