The Central Waterfront infrastructure plan is part of the £1 billion transformation of the city’s eight kilometre Waterfront Project.

This stage of works includes the ‘Slessor Gardens’, a new road layout, access to the Tay Road Bridge and preparatory works for the creation of fully serviced development sites.

Originally, the infrastructure plan was to be completed by the end of summer 2016 but is now on track to be completed by the end of February.

The wider Dundee Waterfront project is now well past the halfway mark, with over £600m already invested including £41.1m from Scottish Enterprise. The project will create 7,000 new jobs and provide a wide range of new opportunities for young people seeking training and employment.

Speaking during a visit to see progress first hand, Ms Sturgeon said: “The progress we have seen on this infrastructure work is a testament to good project management and support from the wider local community and businesses.

“Scotland has a proud tradition and enviable global reputation for engineering excellence, built on the skills and innovation of our people, making it an attractive location for business investment. The fact that this project is largely supported by local contractors, engineers and apprentices is something we should be proud of.

“This project itself has created hundreds of local jobs and contributes significantly to the regeneration of the city itself. I am delighted that the Scottish Government is part of transforming a post-industrial city into a centre for the creative economy with this ground-breaking development.”

The £1bn transformation plan began in 2001 and encompasses 240 hectares of development land alongside the River Tay.

Councillor Ken Guild, Dundee City Council leader, said: “We expect more private investment in the project, to the tune of £400m over the next 10 to 15 years, as the surge in interest we are currently seeing from developers bears fruit.

“That will produce more of the jobs and prosperity we are seeking and it is pleasing to note that there have already been substantial community benefits resulting from the project.

“Our Central Waterfront is an exciting hive of activity as progress continues on a number of major projects, including V&A Dundee and the railway station.”

Director of V&A Dundee, Philip Long, added: “V&A Dundee will be an international centre of design, sitting proudly right at the heart of the Dundee’s Waterfront and symbolising the city’s confidence and growing ambition in a very real and physical way. I am very grateful to the Scottish Government and our many supporters who are making the project possible.

“When the museum opens, we will inspire hundreds of thousands of visitors from far and wide with the remarkable story of Scotland’s design heritage.

“Through world-class exhibitions, events and programmes, we want to show how design and creativity can be used to help others, to improve the lives of our communities and the success of our businesses, extending this country’s reputation for innovation and enterprise.”