TRANSPORT Scotland has awarded two contracts worth almost £60 million for road infrastructure projects.

Work will begin later this year on the Haudagain Improvement scheme in Aberdeen at a cost of £49.5m in an agreement with Farrans Construction.

The A90/A96 improvements will add 500 metres of dual carriageway to reduce congestion, improve journey time reliability, and increase road safety.

The Berriedale Braes project on the A9 in Caithness, in agreement with RJ McLeod, has been given £9.6m.

Work on the braes will deliver improvements to the road alignment and the tight hairpin bend.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This is a particularly challenging stretch of the A9 to navigate and this investment will improve road safety as well as minimise the need for vehicles to slow down or stop to negotiate the bend.

“The investment is also a positive development for the area which will enhance the skills development of the Scottish construction industry, with approximately 60 jobs expected to be supported in the region during construction.

“Transport infrastructure is a key area where improving connectivity between our cities, rural communities and centres of economic activity is vital to boosting productivity and competitiveness.”

Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2020.