A 30-year-old man was seriously injured when his car burst into flames following a crash at a blackspot Mearns junction.
Police, firefighters and an ambulance raced to the scene after the silver Mazda 3 car was involved in a collision with a Morrisons lorry at Laurencekirk on Friday morning.
Both southbound lanes of the A90 were closed from 8.45am, with diversions put in place until 1.30pm.
Firefighters tackled the blaze and the man was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee by ambulance.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “We had to extinguish the fire but never had to cut anyone free from the vehicles.”
The crash will further heighten calls for a flyover at the junction which have grown louder since the start of the year.
Less than 24 hours before the crash the Scottish Government said it was committed to finding a “robust solution” after a meeting with campaigners.
Jill Fotheringham and Andy Ogilvie stressed the dangers of the town’s junction to the A90 at meeting at the Scottish Parliament with Transport Minister Derek Mackay on Thursday.
Jill said: “I am devastated this has happened the very day after speaking to the transport minister.
“A flyover is the only solution and we needed it years ago. Those who could have made this happen already should be hanging their heads in shame.”
A public exhibition was held at the Dickson Hall in January to seek views on proposed options for junction improvements for the A90 and A937.
Seven packages were unveiled, but one involving average speed cameras was rejected, leaving six all of which include a grade separation at the south junction.
Mr Mackay said he was aware of the issue and awaiting a report commissioned by North East of Scotland Transport Partnership, which will include a recommendation for the junction.
The accident also comes just days ahead of Angus councillors being asked to rubber stamp an authority response to neighbouring Aberdeenshire over its proposed local plan.
A report by head of planning Vivien Smith says: “The impact that the lack of capacity at the junctions is having on development in North Angus and the area South of Drumlithie to Laurencekirk is, however, considered to be a strategic issue.
“It is vital that, given the strategic nature of the impact, there is a national or strategic approach to funding any scheme(s) identified as a result of the NESTRANS study.”