AWPR - New traffic layout for road users at Charleston
The construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty project (AWPR/B-T) will take a major step forward on Monday 14 November when traffic management is expected to be implemented at Charleston.
Traffic management measures are required to enable the closure of the existing diverge and merge slip roads between the A90 northbound and the A956 Wellington Road leading to Altens. This will enable construction of the new bridge over the A90 at this location to proceed safely. Delays of around fifteen minutes are expected at this location as a result of these changes to road layout.
For maps showing planned diversions around Charleston Junction go to: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route/traffic-management
The traffic management, which will come into operation around 4am, includes a temporary diversion of the northbound diverge slip road to the A956 Wellington Road to Altens, which will leave the A90 around 500m south of the existing northbound diverge. This will help to maintain a connection to the A956 Wellington Road to Altens, linking road users to the local road network west of the A90 and enable road users to re-join the A90 northbound.
The new road layout, in conjunction with the new 50mph speed restriction, will advise road users to ‘Get in lane, Stay in Lane’ and will include the closure of the Lochton - Auchlunies - Nigg Road (known locally as the C5K Banchory-Devenick road), at its junction with the northbound A90.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said:
“The works at Charleston involve constructing a new bridge to carry road users over the existing A90, realigning the A956 and widening the A90 to three lanes in each direction. These extensive works, which will be on-going until winter 2017, will be undertaken close to live traffic on the A90. Therefore, to ensure the safety of workers and road users, it is necessary to put in place a range of traffic management measures.
“Road users travelling north on the A90 will continue to have two lanes available, with the inside lane offering the option of continuing north on the A90 towards the Bridge of Dee or diverging to join the A956 Wellington Road to Altens. Users of the outside lane will continue north on the A90 only and will not be able to leave the road at this location. Road users should take care to be in the correct lane on approach to the new northbound diverge.
“Also, road users who normally join the A90 from Lochton - Auchlunies - Nigg Road (known locally as the Banchory-Devenick Road) or northbound from the A956 (from Wellington Road and Altens) will no longer be able to do so from the current location and will instead be directed along signed diversion routes.
“Road users may find it useful to plan their journeys in advance. Detailed maps showing how some typical journeys will change at the Charleston junction are located on the AWPR/B-T project website and will give road users an idea of what to expect. They should also consider reviewing the general traffic management information on the same site and both the Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council websites for detailed information on local roads.
“It will take time for road users to become accustomed to the new road layout at Charleston and we are therefore strongly encouraging road users to apply more caution than usual when driving through or nearby this section of the A90. Road users should also observe the 50mph speed restriction and road signage to enhance their safety, as well as the safety of others.”
In the coming weeks, average speed cameras are also planned to be installed on the A90 at Charleston to enhance safety for construction workers and road users. Further details on this will be available shortly.
When complete, the AWPR/B-T will help to reduce congestion, cut journey times, improve safety and lower pollution in Aberdeen City Centre. It will also enable local authorities to develop public transport solutions.
Over the next three decades, the AWPR/B-T is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs. Around 1,500 are currently working on the project, including on-the-job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities for long-term unemployed people.
Notes for editors
For the latest traffic management information, visit the AWPR/B-T project site. This introduction of the traffic management on this date is subject to a road safety audit, which has to be undertaken immediately prior on the morning of Monday 14 November.