The Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project, which is funded by the Scottish Government, will reduce journey times and increase capacity on the route between the two cities. Delivered in stages, the project will deliver incremental benefits throughout the life of the scheme. This May sees the start of an important phase of works to deliver significant benefits to the economy and local communities.

This summer's work builds on the successful closure of the line between May - August 2018, which saw the completion of the first phase of double-tracking between Aberdeen and Dyce.

Upon completion of the project in August 2019, passengers will be able to benefit from the following enhancements:

• Redoubled track between Aberdeen and Inverurie allowing for increased connectivity and service frequency
• Upgraded signalling infrastructure on the route
• Platform extensions at Insch and Elgin to support the introduction of longer High-speed Trains (HSTs)
• A new and fully accessible station at Forres
• Increased services that call at Inverurie Monday to Friday will increase from 45 to 76, with similar improvements on Saturday
• An improved cross-city service, with 27 trains per day between Inverurie, Dyce, Stonehaven and Montrose. This includes an additional direct morning peak service from Montrose to Dyce and Inverurie.

The project is a major engineering undertaking. Currently, the Aberdeen to Inverness line is approximately 108 miles long and is primarily single track with passing loops. Once the line is re-opened in August 2019, the project will have added 16 miles of new track, 39,000 new sleepers, 120,000 new tones of ballast, 5 UTX bridge underpasses, 19 bridge improvements, including major strengthening work on the Don Viaduct, and capacity for a future new station at Kintore.

In order to deliver the proposed improvements, there will inevitably be disruption to services. From 4th May for 15 weeks the line will close to allow engineers to double the track between Dyce and Inverurie, carry out bridge upgrades and deliver signalling enhancements. Some of this will include night-time work to minimise the disruption to rail services.

During the disruption the following replacement bus services will be in place:

4th May - 14th June: Replacement bus between Dyce and Inverurie.
15th June - 9th August: Replacement bus between Dyce and Huntly.
10th August - 12th August: Replacement bus between Aberdeen and Inverness.
13th August - 19th August: Replacement bus between Aberdeen and Huntly.

We're committed to working with businesses and residents. Wherever possible we have been highlighting new business opportunities arising from the project works. The project team has been delivering letters and leaflets with details of all the current and upcoming work to every home in the area affected by the ongoing works. Our Inverurie Compound is open on the first Tuesday of every month for any enquiries, supplementing our public meetings and regular meetings with local elected representatives and community councils.