The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) will be completed ahead of schedule in winter 2017, the cabinet secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities, Keith Brown announced this morning.

It has also been confirmed that the main construction work has moved a step closer with a letter confirming the intention to award the AWPR / B-T contract to Connect Roads, a consortium comprising Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try (Morrison Construction) and Carillion, being issued today.

This is a significant statement signifying the final phase in the procurement process and means that subject to a mandatory standstill period the project will be awarded in the coming weeks. Main contract works will then begin immediately.

Mr Brown said: “This is unprecedented. Since overcoming all the legal challenges back in October 2012, we have done all we can to accelerate the procurement and construction of the AWPR / B-T.

“Following the shortest procurement processes for a contract of this size and complexity- it has been just 23 months since the contract was put to the market - we have now been able to also bring the completion date forward to winter 2017.

“Our investment in this project is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 jobs over the next 30 years, including more than 1,000 jobs for the construction industry. There will also be tangible benefits for the business community and road users with better journey time reliability and reduced congestion.

“More widely, we are committed to making improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout once work on the AWPR scheme is finished, and are reviewing the programme in light of the new completion date. We are investing in a new Inveramsay Bridge on the A96, have made a longer term commitment to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, and are investing £170 million to improve rail links between the two cities.

“We have committed nearly £1bn towards improving transport infrastructure in the north east which shows without question the Scottish Government’s determination to improve transport infrastructure in the north east, and I look forward to road users feeling the benefits of the scheme being realised earlier.”

Leader of Aberdeen City Council Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen City Council has committed up to £75m to this project so I am delighted to hear we have reached this very important stage in the tender process. I am sure the people in the North-east will be delighted to learn that this hugely significant project is progressing and that we are another step closer to the delivery of the much-needed AWPR.”

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Gifford added: “It is very satisfying to reach this stage of the tender process. With preparatory work already underway on some sections of the route, we’ll soon be able to see this important infrastructure project taking shape.”