Transport Secretary Michael Matheson is today expected to tell parliament that contractors are unable to provide a “definitive opening date” for the AWPR.

Mr Matheson is due to give a progress update to MSPs when they meet this afternoon with a memo from Transport Scotland to AWPR project board members saying his statement will reiterate that the contractor is “currently unable” to provide an opening date.

Transport Scotland had said the road would be open in late Autumn.

He is also expected to add that work to repair the bridge over the River Don at Dyce is of a “greater scope” with contractors working towards a “prompt resolution”.

The statement said: “During his statement, Mr Matheson will reiterate that the contractor is currently unable to provide a definitive date for the AWPR opening to traffic.

“He will add that the contractor has reported that Transport Scotland was informed that a greater scope of work would be necessary to repair the defects to the River Don Crossing. ‎

“We will continue to work positively with ARL towards a prompt resolution to its current technical issues.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to pursue discussions with Aberdeen Roads Limited ‎while they deliberate the current proposal for opening the Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston section.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson will provide an update a full update to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

“Throughout the development of this project, we have kept both our funding partners Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council fully updated on the progress being made.”

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