Transport Scotland has confirmed a shortlist of four bidders for the £400 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty road scheme.

The Four shortlisted consortia are:

1. Granite City: Macquarie Capital: Vialia
2. North East Roads Partnership: Cintra Infrastructures SA; Bilfinger Project Investments GmbH
3. Scotia Roads Group: BAM PPP; Costain; Iridium; Sir Robert McAlpine Capital
4. Connect Roads: Balfour Beatty Investments; Carillion Private Finance; Galliford Try

The contract is expected to be awarded in 2014.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is a key component of the planned Modern Transport System and Regional Transport Strategy to provide improved and integrated transport in the North East of Scotland. Of strategic important for the immediate area and Scotland as a whole, the project will help tackle congestion and increase accessibility.

The preferred line for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route runs for 46 kilometres, combining a bypass around the city with a fast link section to Stonehaven.

The Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by protester William Walton last October. There is an agreement now for funding the project: Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council will pay £75 million, with the Scottish Government picking up the remaining 81% of the cost.