Transport Scotland has announced that the Connect Roads consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for the £745m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project.

The Connect Roads consortium comprises Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try (Morrison Construction) and Carillion.

Speaking from the works site, transport minister Keith Brown: "Over the next three decades, our investment in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the local economy and create 14,000 new jobs.

"We would expect to see benefits similar in scale to the recently completed M74 scheme, which directly generated 900 construction jobs."

"During construction, we would expect to see benefits similar in scale to the recently completed M74 scheme, which directly generated 900 construction jobs. It will also provide on-the-job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities."

The AWPR project consists of the design and construction of a new 46km-long dual carriageway between Stonehaven and Charleston, as well as the upgrade of the existing dual carriageway between Blackdog and Tipperty.

The contract will also involve building 40km of new side roads, 30km of access tracks and 72 new bridges, including two significant focal point bridges over the rivers Dee and Don.

Upon completion, the AWPR scheme will deliver substantial benefits across the whole of the north-east of Scotland, offering a boost to the economy, develop business and tourism opportunities, improve safety, cut congestion and increase opportunities for improvements in public transport facilities.