The announcement comes after it was revealed the £3m design contract is to go to Jacobs.
Subject to the mandatory standstill period, work is expected to begin next month to confirm the preferred design and undertake the necessary surveys, checks and statutory processes.
The design work will ensure the much-needed scheme is constructed once the AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty project is completed in 2018.
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Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "For years drivers in the north east have endured tailbacks and delays at the A90/A96 Haudagain roundabout. The Scottish Government has made a clear commitment to address this by starting work at Haudagain immediately following completion of the AWPR / Balmedie-Tipperty project.
"We are well aware of the effect the bottleneck at Haudagain can have on road users. That is why we are undertaking this detailed design to ensure work can begin on site after the AWPR / Balmedie-Tipperty project is completed in 2018.
"The AWPR/Balmedie -Tipperty project is an absolutely vital infrastructure project for the north east of Scotland that will bring almost 14,000 jobs and £6billion of economic benefits over the next thirty years – a not insignificant return for the total investment involved."
(JP/CD)
