AWPR - new Balmedie South Junction to open
A new grade-separated junction constructed as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project is expected to open to traffic on the morning of Monday 30 April following works this weekend.
This new junction will provide road users with improved access to the A90, Balmedie and the B977 Echt to Balmedie Road, and enhance safety by removing the requirement to undertake right hand turns on this section of the trunk road.
Once the new junction opens, the existing junction to the north of Balmedie at Old Road, in conjunction with the B977 Echt to Balmedie Road and Millden accesses onto the A90, will permanently close in line with the previously published plans.
Finishing works to A90 Balmedie South Junction
A series of finishing works, including lining works and the removal of temporary barriers, are required before the new Balmedie Junction opens to traffic. Some of these works are weather dependent, therefore, the following information, and planned opening, may be subject to change at short notice.
Between 8pm on Friday 27 April and 6am on Monday 30 April, lane closures will be in place on the A90 northbound and southbound carriageways. Convoy working will also be required overnight which will require road users to stop at temporary traffic signals during quieter periods. They will then be escorted by the contractor through the works at 10mph as part of a convoy for safety reasons.
The existing Millden, Balmedie North and B977 Echt to Balmedie Road Junctions will close from around 8pm on Monday 30 April.
Temporary signage will be in place to direct road users to the A90 and the new Balmedie South Junction, as required.
Construction of the new A90 carriageway and new Balmedie Link Road
Once the existing Millden, Balmedie North and B977 Junctions are closed, a contraflow will be installed. This will involve moving A90 northbound traffic onto the southbound carriageway for around two weeks.
These works will allow the contractor to connect the new section of A90 Balmedie-Tipperty Trunk Road to the existing A90.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said:
“A number of side roads and bridges built as part of the project have already opened in advance of the new trunk road and, where practical, we will continue to seek other opportunities to bring forward the remaining sections and new side roads of the project at the earliest opportunity.
“We have been working very closely with the contractor to enable this new junction to open to traffic. However, many of the works planned for this weekend are weather dependent and they, and consequently the new junction opening to traffic, may be subject to change.
“When it opens, this new grade-separated junction will provide road users with a taste of what can be expected from the new trunk road as and when it opens to traffic. For instance, journeys will be safer because there is no longer a requirement to turn right across oncoming traffic.
“As with any change to road layout, we strongly encourage road users to drive with more caution than usual. We would also kindly request that drivers observe all of the signage in place to enhance the safety of road users and road workers as works are continuing on the A90.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continued patience while these works continue.”