Utility works start ahead of new AWPR River Don Crossing

One tower was dismantled yesterday (Thursday 8 October), with the rest due to be taken down over the coming days.

The contractor has been working alongside Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) to replace the current infrastructure with a single tower and underground cabling. These works are necessary to clear the site before major construction works start on the River Don Crossing.

Timelapse of the work can be found here https://youtu.be/dLrTwFyL_tE

An AWPR spokesperson said:

“Work continues to press ahead on what is the largest roads construction project in the UK with another milestone now in sight. After months of planning and preparatory works, four electricity towers near to the River Don are being removed so that the new crossing over the Don can be built.

"Before the towers could be dismantled, 1300 metres of underground cabling had to be in place and made operational so that vital local services were not disrupted.

“Much of the construction work for the bypass has focussed on road-related work, but this work marks the start of one of the major structures of the scheme. Once the dismantling is complete, the local community will see the new bridge starting to take shape over the next year. .

“Real visible changes to the region are taking place and I’m delighted to see another piece of this mammoth infrastructure jigsaw starting to be put in place.”

Derek Mulgrew, project manager at SHE Transmission, said:

“This has been a significant piece of work and we are pleased we have been able to deliver this key milestone for the AWPR/B-T project.”

SHE Transmission is responsible for maintaining and investing in the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland and it is managing four transmission diversions to allow the new road to be built: the works at the River Don, underground cabling at Cookney, the relocation of a pylon at Kingswells and the relocation of a pylon at Sunnyside.

ENDS

More info on the project can be found here:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route-balmedie-tipperty