AWPR fully opens to traffic with drivers urged to take care while navigating the new stretch of Aberdeen bypass

Drivers in the north east will be able to make use of the full new Aberdeen bypass from today.

The final section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) welcomed its first traffic this morning ahead of the rush hour.

The new 4.5-mile (7.5km) section will link the southern Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston section with the Parkhill to Blackdog section in the north, slashing journey times.

Motorists have been urged to drive with caution when taking to the new route over the coming days and weeks until they get used to the new layout.

Douglas Laird, project manager for the AWPR/B-T project at Transport Scotland, said: “This new section of road between Craibstone and Parkhill will bring a range of benefits to road users, including reduced congestion, improved journey time reliability and enhanced safety.

All sections of the #AWPR are now open. https://t.co/H6QMxjPheq

— Michael Matheson MSP ??????? (@MathesonMichael) February 19, 2019

“However, we would like to remind road users to drive with caution for their own safety and to consider the safety of other road users as there are a number of changes to road layout to become accustomed to.

“There may be a degree of uncertainty amongst some drivers and all drivers should be prepared to react appropriately to ensure journeys can be completed safely.”

Read more on the AWPR opening from our sister title the Evening Express

The £745 million project to build the stretch of road has been dogged by delays.

Transport Scotland missed its “late autumn” target date for construction, with contractors saying they hoped to open the full route by December.

This was extended, with roads bosses missing a January completion date due to work repairing defects on the new River Don bridge.

Cracks were discovered and required repairs, then contractual wrangles between the Scottish Government and contractors held up the signing-off process.