A multi-million pound contract has been awarded to a project that will address issues associated with a bottleneck on a section of the A96 in north-east Scotland.

The investment, said to be worth around £10m, will involve construction work to Inveramsay Bridge. The project will involve engineering works to realign the road, while existing traffic signals and height restrictions on the route will need to be removed.

Subject to the mandatory standstill period, Balfour Beatty will be responsible for carrying out the work, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

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When completed, the scheme will help reduce congestion in the area, improve journey times and traffic flows, as well as lower the possibility of bridge strikes.

Transport Minister Keith Brown commented: "This project – along with progress made on the dualling of the A96 and A9 as well as the pre-commencement works on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme, represents billions of pounds of investment and underlines the Scottish Government's commitment to ensuring that the transport infrastructure in the north and north-east of Scotland is fit for purpose.

"We want to see an early solution to this particular bottleneck and today's announcement is welcome progress delivering on our pledge to start construction work before the end of the year."

(JP/IT)