AN MSP has called on the Scottish Government to declare when it will start work on improvements at a notorious flyover.
Transport Scotland has recently chosen its preferred option for the £24 million A90/A937 flyover junction at Laurencekirk.
Campaigners battled 14 years for a new grade-separated junction which was announced in 2016.
North East region MSP Liam Kerr has now challenged Transport Secretary Michael Matheson to give campaigners a firm start date for the work.
The MSP has asked “whether it will provide an update on the development of the Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme, and when it expects work on this to begin”.
Scottish Conservative Mr Kerr said: “It took a decade for the people of Laurencekirk to get the SNP to commit to this vital piece of infrastructure.
“Because of the SNP’s apparent difficulty in handling the opening of the AWPR, I think people want to know they are still just as focused on this vital project.
“To the people who risk their lives crossing the A90 every day at Laurencekirk, this section of the dual carriageway is far more important.”
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The preferred option would see the A937 carried over the A90 on to a new bridge with a roundabout on either side.
The centre and north junctions at Laurencekirk from the A90 would remain open.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Significant progress has been made in developing an appropriate technical solution for this important junction.
“We are now progressing the next stage of design and assessment work for this upgrade.
“All comments received will be considered as we develop the preferred option in greater detail with a view to publishing draft orders for the scheme in 2019.
“The scheme will help reduce accidents by preventing traffic crossing at the busy A90 junction.”