The agreement for preparatory work along the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is worth about £8m.

Connect Roads – consisting of Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Galliford Try (Morrison Construction) – can now undertake further designs and begin fencing, environment surveys and ground investigations ahead of the main works contract.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “The people of Aberdeen and the north-east have been waiting for decades for a sign that works are due to start on the AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme. Today, we can announce that the preferred bidder will be on site from this week.

At peak the job will support 900 construction jobs and also provide on-the-job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities.

The Minister added: “We are also committed to making improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout once work on the AWPR scheme is finished, a new Inveramsay Bridge on the A96, and we have already made a longer term commitment to dual the key route between Aberdeen and Inverness.”

Alan Gibson, Bid Director at Connect Roads added: “We are working closely with Transport Scotland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils to reach financial close on the main DBFO contract, which will enable full works to commence on this strategically important project for the north east.”