The A90 road between Ellon and Peterhead will not be dualled, despite years of action from campaigners.
Seven people have died on the busy route over the past three years alone, with a further 49 injured.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond had said in 2007 that works would be approved within his first 100 days in office.
But, 16 years later, Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth says the government has axed the proposal for good.
Liam Kerr, Conservative MSP for the north east, described yesterday's news as “disgusting”, and said it leaves the A90 as the “forgotten road of Scotland”.
The government considered plans to dual the A90 in December, but has now confirmed it will not move forward with those proposals.
Dualling not recommended
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Gilruth said: “After an extensive evidence-based process with substantial stakeholder and public consultation, dualling was not recommended.
“Instead, measures to improve road safety, reliability and adapting the trunk-road network to deal with the challenge of climate change were considered.”
Mr Kerr told the Press & Journal he was “angered and appalled” at the announcement.
He said: “Under this SNP Government, there is absolutely no question that the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead is Scotland’s forgotten road.
“We have had a terrifying number of collisions along the route, including at the Toll of Birness, many of which have tragically resulted in lives being lost.
“But the SNP’s attitude towards the families and communities impacted by the treacherous state of this road is deplorable.”
Improve road safety
He said dualling the A90 would “significantly” improve road safety and the north-east economy.
Mr Kerr added: “Despite such strong favour from the public for dualling the route, the SNP Government would rather focus on the central belt and kick an upgrade into the long grass to please their Green coalition partners.”
The announcement comes after transport chiefs admitted they still do not have the land needed to dual the A96 between Inverness and Nairn.
The SNP promised in 2011 to dual the entire A96 from Aberdeen to Inverness. But the pledge has been in doubt since First Minister Nicola Sturgeon struck a power-sharing deal with the Greens in 2021, leading to a review of the £3billion project.