Work has started on essential ground investigations for the A96 Inveramsey Bridge project.

The works will provide companies currently bidding on the scheme with the necessary detailed information on ground conditions which will help shape their designs.

In a statement, Transport Minister Keith Brown said work on Inveramsey Bridge is expected to start later this year. The scheme has been valued at £11m.

Visiting the site, Minister Brown said: "The start of ground investigation works is another significant step in addressing one of the most notorious bottlenecks in the north-east of Scotland, and will help ensure that full construction work can get underway at Inveramsay before the year is out.

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"Road users will soon feel the benefits of improved journey time reliability and free-flowing traffic and, as we will be removing the risk of rail bridge strikes affecting traffic flows, less congestion and a much improved journey experience.

"Inveramsay is just one scheme in a major transport investment package for the north and north east of Scotland worth billions. We are pressing ahead with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Belmedie-Tipperty scheme and are currently scrutinising tenders from the three bidding parties vying for the prestigious contract to build a road which will bring enormous economic and transport benefits across the region. We expect to announce the preferred bidder later this year.

"We are also making significant progress on the A9 and A96 dualling programmes, collectively representing a £6 billion investment and which will make the major roads connecting north to south and north-east to north-west of Scotland fit for purpose."

(JP)