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{{Short description|Road in Scotland between Edinburgh and Fraserburgh via Dundee and Aberdeen}}
{{about|the Scottish road|the A90 motorway in Italy|Autostrada A90}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=March 2018}}
{{original research|date=March 2018}}
}}
{{Infobox road
| country = GBR
| type = A
| route = 90
| map = [[File:A90 road map.png|200px]]
| map_custom = yes
| length_mi = 146
| direction_a = South
| direction_b = North
| terminus_a = [[Edinburgh]]
| destinations = [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], [[Dundee]], [[Forfar]], [[Stonehaven]], [[Aberdeen]], [[Fraserburgh]]
| terminus_b = [[Fraserburgh]]
| junction = {{jct|country=GBR|M|9|dab1=Great Britain}}<br />{{jct|country=GBR|M|90|dab1=Great Britain}} spur<br />{{jct|country=GBR|A|902|name1= }}<br />{{jct|country=GBR|A|904|name1= }}<br />{{jct|country=GBR|A|972|name1= }}<br />{{jct|country=GBR|A|92|name1= }}<br />{{jct|country=GBR|A|96|name1= }}
| previous_type = A
| previous_route = 89
| next_type = A
| next_route = 91
}}
[[File:Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route at A96 junction (2020).jpg|right|thumb|The A90 at the A96 junction near Aberdeen. This stretch is part of the [[Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route|AWPR ("Aberdeen Bypass")]] project that opened in 2018–19.]]
[[File:A90 road north of Dundee.JPG|right|thumb|The A90 heading north from [[Dundee]]]]
[[File:A90 looking towards Aberdeen.jpg|right|thumb|A former stretch of the A90, just south of [[Aberdeen]]. Following the opening of the "Aberdeen Bypass", this now forms part of the A92.]]
The '''A90 road''' is a major north-to-south road in eastern [[Scotland]], running from [[Edinburgh]] to [[Fraserburgh]], through [[Dundee]] and [[Aberdeen]].<ref name="info">{{cite web |title=A90 Road |url=https://a90road.info/ |website=a90road |publisher=Transport Scotland |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> Along with the [[A9 road (Scotland)|A9]] and the [[A82 (road)|A82]] it is one of the three major north–south trunk roads connecting the [[Central Belt]] to northern destinations. The A90 is not continuous: there is a gap between Dalmeny and Perth, but the [[M90 motorway|M90]] connects those two places.

==Background==
The creation and development of the A90 road has to be understood in terms of the development of the economy of the North-East of Scotland, which had resulted in an increase in traffic along the route between Perth and Aberdeen.<ref name="HMSO1994">{{cite book |title=A90 Completion of Dualling – Perth to Aberdeen – 1994 |publisher=HMSO |page=3 |url=https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0i8cLFbHBfKM3RiSTlILTdwTVk/edit |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref> In recognition of this, in 1979, the British government announced that it was giving priority to the upgrading of the route to dual carriageway standard. It had already been decided that the trunk route between Dundee and Stonehaven, which had previously followed the same route as the railway line between the two towns, would now follow an inland route through Forfar and Laurencekirk. The new route would incorporate the [[A85 road|A85]] from Perth to Dundee, the A929 between Dundee and Forfar, the A94 between Forfar and Stonehaven, and the A92 from Stonehaven to Aberdeen; in 1994, the confusion of numbers was resolved with the renumbering of these roads and the creation of the A90 (M90) Edinburgh to Aberdeen trunk road.<ref name="HMSO1994" /> The coastal route from Dundee to Stonehaven was detrunked in 1978, at the same time as the inland route was trunked.

== History ==
In 1994, it was stated that £139 million had been spent since 1979 on upgrades to the then-A90 between Perth and Aberdeen (the section between Stonehaven and Aberdeen has since become part of the [[A92 road|A92]]).<ref>{{cite book |title=A90 Completion of Dualling – Perth to Aberdeen – 1994 |publisher=HMSO |page=7 |url=https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0i8cLFbHBfKM3RiSTlILTdwTVk/edit |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref>

A grade-separated junction at [[Longforgan]] was opened in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997-01-23|title=Road Safety – A90 Forfar Bypass Junctions|url=https://archive.angus.gov.uk/ccmeetings/reports-committee1997/Roads/104.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Angus Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609151244/https://archive.angus.gov.uk/ccmeetings/reports-committee1997/Roads/104.pdf |archive-date=9 June 2021 }}</ref>

The section of the A90 between [[Balmedie]] and Tipperty was upgraded to dual carriageway in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gordon Liberal Democrats|title=Radcliffe and Bruce welcome A90 Victory|url=http://www.noraradcliffe.co.uk/news/000001.html|access-date=2007-09-08}}{{dead link|date=June 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>[http://transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects/a90-balmedie-to-tipperty-dualling-project Information on the Transport Scotland government site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212155317/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects/a90-balmedie-to-tipperty-dualling-project|date=12 December 2013}}</ref> On 3 September 2018, the former section of the A90 between [[Stonehaven]] and [[Blackdog]] was renumbered A92 in preparation for the opening of the [[Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route]], which became the new route of the A90.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-30 |title=AWPR – A90 to become the A92 next week |url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/awpr-a90-to-become-the-a92-next-week/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Transport Scotland}}</ref>

==Route==
From Edinburgh, the A90 travels west and connects to the [[M90 motorway]] bypass route that leads to the M9: however, it is only possible to travel northbound when reaching this connection. After connecting with the M90, it runs as a short section of A-road before turning into the M90 properly at the [[Queensferry Crossing]]. At [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], beneath [[Kinnoull Hill]], the M90 again becomes the A90, now running north east to [[Dundee]] and through the Kingsway road system. It then passes [[Forfar]], [[Brechin]] and [[Stracathro]].

After crossing the [[Cowie Water]] just north of [[Stonehaven]], a new junction, opened in 2019, reroutes the A90 road north as part of the [[Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route]] (AWPR), bypassing the city to its west past the suburban developments of [[Peterculter]], [[Milltimber]], [[Westhill, Aberdeenshire|Westhill]] and [[Kingswells]], turning east past [[Aberdeen Airport]] and [[Dyce]]. The section of road previously part of the A90 was made part of the [[A92 road|A92]] and continues via [[Newtonhill]], [[Portlethen]], [[Cove Bay]], the urban area of [[Aberdeen]] and the [[Bridge of Don]] before rejoining the A90 at [[Blackdog]] Junction, where the A'PRT terminates. Continuing north, the route crosses the [[Ythan Estuary]] near [[Ellon, Aberdeenshire|Ellon]] where it becomes a single carriageway, skirting [[Peterhead]] (and crossing [[Balmoor Bridge]]) on its way to Fraserburgh. The [[A952 road]] via [[Mintlaw]] is one of Aberdeenshire's principal freight routes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Freight Map, Aberdeenshire |url=https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/freightmapaberdeenshirelarge.pdf |website=Aberdeenshire Council |access-date=16 August 2020}}</ref>

The Dundee to Aberdeen stretch of the A90 has many speed cameras. Previously, the {{convert|60|mi|adj=on}} trip from Dundee to Aberdeen along the A90 entailed over a dozen speed cameras including a majority of fixed [[Gatso]] types as well as locations used by mobile camera vans. These cameras were found on long fast stretches of road, and shortly before dangerous junctions, such as at the [[Laurencekirk]] junction where a {{convert|50|mph|abbr=on}} speed limit is in force.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-30|title=Laurencekirk campaign to target A90 speeders|url=https://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/people/laurencekirk-campaign-target-a90-speeders-2011467|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Mearns Leader|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609144839/https://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/people/laurencekirk-campaign-target-a90-speeders-2011467 |archive-date=9 June 2021 }}</ref> This was introduced due to this junction's appalling safety record. A similar speed restriction was imposed at [[Forfar]] until two new grade-separated junctions were built, after which the restriction was lifted.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} In 2017 Average Speed Cameras were erected between Dundee and Stonehaven, with 15 per side, spaced approximately every {{convert|5|mi|0}} for a total of 30 cameras. BBC News reported in January 2018 that speed limit compliance had increased from 2 in 5 to 99 in 100 drivers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Driver behaviour 'transformed' by A90 average speed cameras |publisher=BBC News |date=23 January 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-42774902 |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>

A short stretch of the A90, from the southern terminus of the M90 to [[Barnton Junction]] (a junction with the [[A902 road|A902]]), is part of [[Euroroute]] [[European route E15|E15]], which runs from [[Inverness]] to [[Algeciras]] in [[Spain]]. The E15 continues northwards on the M90, and southwards on the A902 leading to the [[Edinburgh City Bypass]].{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

The A90 ran along the coast and through Aberdeen until the city was bypassed with the opening of the [[Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route]] in 2018. The former stretch of A90 from Stonehaven through to just north of Aberdeen is now part of the [[A92 road|A92]].

==Future==
In January 2016 the Scottish Government announced £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk on the A90.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Project details {{!}} Transport Scotland |url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a90a937-laurencekirk-junction-improvement-scheme/project-details/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.transport.gov.scot}}</ref> Ground investigations were carried out in 2019 in preparation for upgrading the flat junction between the A90 and the A937 to a flyover after a number of deaths.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/891883/work-to-finally-start-at-blackspot-junction-following-15-year-campaign/|title=Work to finally start at blackspot junction following 15-year campaign|last=Strachan|first=Graeme|website=The Courier|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref> This followed years of local campaigning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Nikki |date=2014-04-24 |title=Campaigners protest outside Holyrood for action against Laurencekirk Junction |url=http://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/local-headlines/campaigners-protest-outside-holyrood-for-action-against-laurencekirk-junction-1-3387188 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513050542/http://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/local-headlines/campaigners-protest-outside-holyrood-for-action-against-laurencekirk-junction-1-3387188 |archive-date=2014-05-13 |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=Mearns Leader}}</ref> However, in 2021 it was announced that work had been delayed. The proposed flyover would require the closure of a flat crossing at Oatyhill Farm which is now the sole access point to some properties after the nearby 170-year-old Oatyhill Bridge, which crosses the [[Dundee–Aberdeen line]], was closed to road traffic in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Jamie|date=2021-05-11|title=Upgrades to notorious north-east junction held up by unsafe bridge|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/3127855/north-east-junction-upgrades-held-up-by-unsafe-bridge/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Press and Journal|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513130540/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/3127855/north-east-junction-upgrades-held-up-by-unsafe-bridge/ |archive-date=13 May 2021 }}</ref> However, supplementary draft Orders and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Addendum) was published in December 2024 to facilitate the necessary works required at Oatyhill to allow the flyover to be built.<ref name=":0" />

Dualling of the section north of Aberdeen has been subject to studies since the 1980s. A proposal was published in 2007 for dualling the section between [[Balmedie]] and Tipperty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2007 |title=A90 Dualling Balmedie to Tipperty |url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/35513/e-v.pdf |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Transport Scotland}}</ref> While the Balmedie to Tipperty segment was eventually dualled as part of wider AWPR works, in 2023 the Scottish Government said it had no plans to dual the route north of Ellon.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saunderson|first=Jamie|date=2023-05-19|title= No plans to dual A90 between Ellon and Peterhead despite 'daily accidents' |url= https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/no-plans-dual-a90-between-8455558.amp |access-date=2023-08-06|website=Aberdeen Live|language=en-US}}</ref>

==River crossings==
A90 [[bridge]]s span numerous [[river]]s, estuaries and [[Burn (stream)|burns]] including:
*[[Carron Water, Aberdeenshire|Carron Water]]
*[[Cowie Water]]
*[[Burn of Muchalls]]
*[[Burn of Pheppie]]
*[[Burn of Elsick]]
*[[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]]
*[[River Don, Aberdeenshire|River Don]]
*[[Ythan Estuary]]
*[[River Tay]] (via [[Friarton Bridge]])
*[[Firth of Forth]] (via [[Queensferry Crossing]])
*[[River North Esk]]
*[[River Ugie]] (via [[Balmoor Bridge]])

==See also==
* [[A roads in Zone 9 of the Great Britain numbering scheme]]
* [[Causey Mounth]]
* [[Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route|Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline}}
* [https://www.roads.org.uk/road-schemes/a90-aberdeen-western-peripheral A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627040724/https://www.roads.org.uk/road-schemes/a90-aberdeen-western-peripheral |date=27 June 2020 }}

{{UK primary routes 9}}
{{Transport in Edinburgh}}

{{coord|57.43406|N|1.86059|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title|format=dms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:9-0090}}
[[Category:Roads in Scotland]]
[[Category:Transport in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Transport in Perth and Kinross]]
[[Category:Transport in Dundee]]
[[Category:Transport in Angus, Scotland]]
[[Category:Transport in Aberdeenshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Aberdeen]]
[[Category:South Queensferry]]
[[Category:Transport in Perth, Scotland]]
[[Category:Stonehaven]]
[[Category:Forfar]]
[[Category:Brechin]]
[[Category:Westhill, Aberdeenshire]]
[[Category:Ellon, Aberdeenshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Peterhead]]
[[Category:Fraserburgh]]