Milltimber Bridge in the centre of this picture

The Scottish Government is looking for bidders for the £70m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route / Balmedie to Tipperty project.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route / Balmedie to Tipperty is part of a £221m transport infrastructure package, which aims to improve travel in and around Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland.

The sub-contracts will provide opportunities to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with drainage works, earthworks, steel reinforcement, plant and equipment hire, and rock crushing and screening.

The project aims to provide SMEs an opportunity to get involved in one of the largest project initiated by the government.

"Very few EU countries have a higher level of spending in their small-medium enterprises sector than Scotland."

Apart from the £70m worth of sub-contracts, the government is expected to announce an additional £30m of contracts will be advertised in the coming months, which will take the total of £221m.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: "Very few EU countries have a higher level of spending in their small-medium enterprises sector than Scotland.

"Scottish SMEs successfully compete for public contracts, representing some 37% of the economy and getting a 46% slice of the £10bn public procurement spend every year."

The Scottish Government’s investment in the project is likely to create 14,000 new jobs, including construction jobs and on-the-job training for apprentices and bring an additional £6bn to the north-east economy.

Brown added: "Preparatory work on Aberdeen bypass is nearing completion with full construction due to start shortly.

"This vital preparation work is essential to ensure we are ready to start work when the Aberdeen bypass is finished, and forms an impressive package of transport infrastructure improvements we are delivering for the north-east."

Image: Milltimber Bridge part of Aberdeen Bypass project. Photo: courtesy of Wikipedia.