Aberdeen Bypass Route Announced

[orudge]

Perhaps it’s just the lack of such signage (e.g. “emergency use only” signs) on the rest of the A90 that makes it novel!

The orders I referred to above can be found here.

[orudge]

"NO" signs have been erected at the A944 junction, albeit greyed out for the moment. Hopefully won't be too long now until we can drive on the majority of the road.

[iainh124a]

Recent AWPR Don Bridge update reported in Evening Express Evening Express (04/08/18):

A bridge on the new Aberdeen bypass is set to undergo repairs after defects were found.
Roads body Transport Scotland said “minor defects” were found on the crossing on the new bypass at Dyce, and work to fix them will take place.
The repairs will see concrete panels on the bridge replaced.
However, Transport Scotland said it will not add any extra cost to the project and would not give details on what the defects were.

[SuperLez]

"NO" signs have been erected at the A944 junction, albeit greyed out for the moment. Hopefully won't be too long now until we can drive on the majority of the road.

These signs are also up at Charleston, and these ones haven't been greyed out!

The 4 signs are Clearway, no pedestrians, no cycling and no horse drawn vehicles. The text prohibits motorcylces under 50cc, mopeds and animals.

There is no mention of tractors or learner drivers, even though these should be banned as per the regulations pertaining to roads that are open only to Classes I and II of traffic. Looks like it will be up to the courts or (heaven help us!) insurance companies to decide on the fate of drivers of these vehicles should the worst happen.

[SuperLez]

Recent AWPR Don Bridge update reported in Evening Express Evening Express (04/08/18):

A bridge on the new Aberdeen bypass is set to undergo repairs after defects were found.
Roads body Transport Scotland said “minor defects” were found on the crossing on the new bypass at Dyce, and work to fix them will take place.
The repairs will see concrete panels on the bridge replaced.
However, Transport Scotland said it will not add any extra cost to the project and would not give details on what the defects were.

So the Twitterati nailed this one! All well and good that the taxpayer isn't taking the hit for the repair. But this is bound to push the final completion date back a bit.

[SuperLez]

Hopefully won't be too long now until we can drive on the majority of the road.

Noticed today that the main northbound carriageway at Craibstone was coned off, with access for the off slip preserved. Wouldn't be surprised if there was an announcement of some good news possibly as early as this week. Fingers crossed!

[orudge]

There is no mention of tractors or learner drivers, even though these should be banned as per the regulations pertaining to roads that are open only to Classes I and II of traffic. Looks like it will be up to the courts or (heaven help us!) insurance companies to decide on the fate of drivers of these vehicles should the worst happen.

This appears to be consistent with the A1 at Dunbar (which is also limited to class I and II traffic) - the signs there don’t mention L-drivers or tractors, etc.

Given the current publicity surrounding tractors etc on the AWPR, I wonder how long it’ll be before a farmer tries to take a tractor on it because “it doesn’t say not to on the sign”!

[iainh124a]

August 2018 - River Don Bridge Update
Return visit after recent news stories


August 2018: River Don bridge for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway north of Dyce by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: River Don bridge for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway north of Dyce by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: River Don bridge for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway north of Dyce by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: River Don bridge for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway north of Dyce by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

(Further photos on Flickr)

[iainh124a]

Noticed today that the main northbound carriageway at Craibstone was coned off, with access for the off slip preserved. Wouldn't be surprised if there was an announcement of some good news possibly as early as this week. Fingers crossed!

Would presume that they'd open it after the Community Event planned for 8th / 9th September since would be annoying for drivers to have this section open then close again shortly after for this event (but you never know).

[orudge]

The NFU is still trying to get the "tractor ban" overturned, now asking Nicola Sturgeon to do so. I presume it is not straightforward legally for them to do so, though, and I very much hope it doesn't come to pass - there is really no need for tractors to be on the road, and they can still use all the old roads they used previously! It somewhat sounds to me like an opposition MSP trying to stir up trouble...

Another MSP is concerned about the state of the current A90 (I assume between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, although it doesn't say). However, if I'm not mistaken, the road between Stonehaven and Charleston will still be trunk, and it's only the section between the A956 and Blackdog that will be detrunked. Of course, if the road has been damaged, it should still be repaired, but I imagine that might be easier to do once the AWPR itself is open.

[novaecosse]

"NO" signs have been erected at the A944 junction, albeit greyed out for the moment. Hopefully won't be too long now until we can drive on the majority of the road.

These signs are also up at Charleston, and these ones haven't been greyed out!

The 4 signs are Clearway, no pedestrians, no cycling and no horse drawn vehicles. The text prohibits motorcylces under 50cc, mopeds and animals.

There is no mention of tractors or learner drivers, even though these should be banned as per the regulations pertaining to roads that are open only to Classes I and II of traffic. Looks like it will be up to the courts or (heaven help us!) insurance companies to decide on the fate of drivers of these vehicles should the worst happen.

The one at Netherley Junction is up as well. I’ll get a photo of it tomorrow

[Sulzer:1999]

The NFU is still trying to get the "tractor ban" overturned, now asking Nicola Sturgeon to do so. I presume it is not straightforward legally for them to do so, though, and I very much hope it doesn't come to pass - there is really no need for tractors to be on the road, and they can still use all the old roads they used previously! It somewhat sounds to me like an opposition MSP trying to stir up trouble...

Another MSP is concerned about the state of the current A90 (I assume between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, although it doesn't say). However, if I'm not mistaken, the road between Stonehaven and Charleston will still be trunk, and it's only the section between the A956 and Blackdog that will be detrunked. Of course, if the road has been damaged, it should still be repaired, but I imagine that might be easier to do once the AWPR itself is open.

For many years now, I have felt that the A90 between Newtonhill/Portlethen-Bridge of Dee is hardly an encouraging welcome to Aberdeen. Whilst the surface of the road is not that great in places, there should also be thought given to improving the roadside environment. Unkempt trees, vegetation, kerbsides that have disappeared under built up grit & of course the graffiti covered former Hillside Filling station hardly project a positive welcome to the city.
Mind you, there is still a lingering blue-bordered direction sign at the Portlethen junction slip road....

Murray Duncan

[iainh124a]

August 2018 - Craibstone & North Kingswells Junctions

Looking south towards North Kingswells junction:

August 2018: North Kingswells junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: North Kingswells junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

Looking north towards Craibstone junction (A96):

August 2018: Craibstone A96 Aberdeen Airport junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

[iainh124a]

August 2018 - Cleanhill Roundabout

Looking west towards roundabout (A956):

August 2018: Cleanhill roundabout A956 / A90 junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: Cleanhill roundabout A956 / A90 junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

Looking east (A956):

August 2018: Cleanhill roundabout A956 / A90 junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway looking east by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

Looking north towards Cleanhill roundabout (A90):

August 2018: Cleanhill roundabout A956 / A90 junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr


August 2018: Cleanhill roundabout A956 / A90 junction for AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) Aberdeen bypass dual carriageway by Iain Henderson, on Flickr

[B9127]

https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/awp ... o-traffic/ Another section opened

[iainh124a]

AWPR-BT Balmedie to Tipperty Now Fully Open (15.08.18)

Northbound:

Direct link

Southbound:

Direct link

[orudge]

The P&J is still going on about the “tractor ban”, but they do have a photo of one of the restriction signs. It does seem a fair point that there isn’t an explicit “no tractors” or similar sign - I’m not sure how they’d be expected to be aware of the restrictions otherwise?

I’d suggest a green motorway sign with “A90” on it, given the restrictions would be the same as the M90, but presumably that would require legislation and an update to the Highway Code.

[Bryn666]

Should have had blue signs. Another reason why fudge does no one any favours .

[iainh124a]

Here's one of the signs at the Stonehaven / Netherley junction roundabout:


August 2018: Southern end of A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) at Stonehaven by Iain Henderson, on Flickr (Nextbase Dashcam Snapshot)

[novaecosse]

The P&J is still going on about the “tractor ban”, but they do have a photo of one of the restriction signs. It does seem a fair point that there isn’t an explicit “no tractors” or similar sign - I’m not sure how they’d be expected to be aware of the restrictions otherwise?

I’d suggest a green motorway sign with “A90” on it, given the restrictions would be the same as the M90, but presumably that would require legislation and an update to the Highway Code.

We have a process for authorising non-prescribed signs.

This isn’t a difficult problem to solve.

Post a Minimum Speed Limit of 30 or 40mph... job done!