Large beams set to arrive for AWPR/B-T project

The five 42 metre beams, which each weigh around 65 tonnes, the equivalent of around 35 average sized cars*, will be delivered on Sunday 29 May 2016 on five abnormal load trucks from 0800 hours.

The trucks will leave Stracathro and travel to Loch of Loirston before continuing along the A956 and then turning left onto West Tullos Road. They will then turn right at the Great Southern Road roundabout before crossing the River Dee and turning left onto Riverside Drive where they will join Holburn Street and then turn right onto Anderson Drive (A90). They will pass the Garthdee and Haudagain roundabouts and then turn left onto Auchmill Road (A96) before entering the site at Craibstone.

On the same weekend, 14 beams, which are under 25m long and around 40 tonnes, will be delivered for the Derbeth Overbridge, located just west of Kingswells. These will be delivered using 14 abnormal load trucks between midday and 7pm on Saturday 28 May. If it is not possible to deliver all of these beams on the Saturday, any remaining beams will be delivered after the Craibstone Junction Underbridge beams have reached the AWPR/B-T site on Sunday 29 May 2016.

These trucks will use the same route as above and will travel along the A944 Queens Road/Skene Road until they enter the site.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said:

“This is a significant delivery for the AWPR/B-T project. At 42m long, these are the largest concrete beams to be delivered as part of this critical project, which is the longest road construction project currently underway in the UK. The beams will help to form the Craibstone Junction Underbridge when they are placed on the bridge piers.

“This delivery is the result of very careful planning by the contractor and the route has been agreed with Police Scotland and the local authorities. The beams will arrive in Aberdeen early on the Sunday morning when the roads are expected to be quieter to keep any inconvenience to road users to a minimum.

“The shorter beams for the Derbeth Overbridge, which are under 25m long, will be delivered on the same weekend as the Craibstone Junction Underpass beams, but will not travel to the site at the same time, also to keep inconvenience to a minimum.

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

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

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/project/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route-balmedie-tipperty