National agency Transport Scotland is planning to award a contract to Amey, a UK-based infrastructure support service provider, for the next phase of design for the junction upgrade to the A90 at Laurencekirk.

The contract includes works such as route option assessment and the development of a preferred junction option.

Scotland Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Earlier this year we announced £24m for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional investment alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

"We are committed to completing this important upgrade as soon as possible."

“We are committed to completing this important upgrade as soon as possible and the appointment of design consultants means we are now stepping up the work to deliver this much-needed scheme for the people of the north east as soon as possible.”

Amey has been working with Transport Scotland for many years and currently, the UK-based company is maintaining the motorways and trunk road network in the South East of Scotland as well as the Forth Bridges.

Humza Yousaf also said: “We have been working hard with the two local authorities and Nestrans and we will continue that partnership approach so we can bring improved road safety and economic benefits to road users and the local community in Laurencekirk and the north Angus area.

“The planned improvements at Laurencekirk add to our already impressive transport infrastructure investment portfolio in the north east which includes the £745m AWPR, improved road access on the A96 at Inveramsay Bridge which is now open to traffic, dualling the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, major improvements to the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line, and the ongoing design work to remove the notorious bottleneck at Haudagain roundabout.”

Amey along with its sister company Ferrovial, and other partners, are also involved in the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project.