The A90 was closed in both directions after a woman's body was found on the roadside near Laurencekirk.
An investigation into the "unexplained" death is under way and the road was closed in both directions from 8am on Saturday until 4.30pm, when the southbound carriageway was reopened. The road was fully reopened at 5.30pm.
A statement released by the police force said: "The road was closed at around 8 am this morning following the discovery of the body of a female. The death is being treated as unexplained currently."
Asked by STV News if it was possible the woman had been a hit-and-run victim, Inspector Kevin Wallace said: "The injuries are consistent with having been struck by a vehicle and that forms one of the positive lines of enquiry we're carrying out at the moment.
"We're looking to identify the vehicles which may have been involved and, indeed, any witnesses who may have been on this stretch of road between Laurencekirk and Fordoun during the early hours of this morning, or who may have seen a female pedestrian in this area at that time."
Anyone with information regarding the death is asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dundee United's Scottish Premier League match against Aberdeen was delayed 15 by minutes after the visitors' team bus was held up in the diversions, as were hundreds of supporters.
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