Amey advise of essential bridge works

Post date: 19-Dec-2017 12:52:33

There are likely to be delays due to upcoming works that Amey (on behalf of Transport Scotland) are planning to undertake to refurbish the two viaduct spans of the A985 Kincardine Bridge South of the Swing Span. This will consist of resurfacing, re-waterproofing, concrete repairs and joint replacement. We are currently planning to commence these works in mid-February 2018, subject to budgetary allowance. Alternatively, this next phase of bridge deck refurbishment will be postponed until late March/early April 2018. The works are programmed to take approximately six weeks to complete, with some overnight preparatory works followed by phased lane closures, controlled by temporary traffic lights. These temporary traffic lights and lane restrictions will be in place continuously throughout the duration of the works, after which further overnight closures will be needed to complete the reinstatement of the affected bridge expansion joints. One lane of traffic will be maintained throughout these works and in previous phases the traffic management has worked well to keep delays to an absolute minimum.

Pedestrian footways will remain open throughout the duration of the works.

As with the three previous phases, traffic emerging from the A876 North Approach Road (including buses) will be prevented from turning right towards the Kincardine Bridge. All traffic trying to make this manoeuvre will be sent the short distance down to the Longannet (Tolls) roundabout and back again.

Details of diversion routes (night-time closures only);

Eastbound – At the Longannet (Toll) roundabout, traffic will be diverted along the A977 Toll Road toward (and through) Kincardine and Kilbagie. At Kilbagie roundabout, road users will be diverted to the first exit along the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge southbound. The diversion will end at Higgins Neuk roundabout.

Westbound – At Higgins Neuk roundabout, traffic will be diverted north along the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge. At Kilbagie roundabout, road users will be diverted to the A977 Toll Road, through Kilbagie and Kincardine. The diversion will end at the Longannet (Toll) roundabout.

This is the fifth phase of these refurbishment works we have carried out since March 2015 and allows us to further safeguard the longevity of the structure. Delay modelling techniques have been used for the previous phases and we are in the process of updating this for these upcoming works to reflect some slight changes in TM layout. However, previously experienced delays have averaged only 10 minutes each direction.

As mentioned previously, we do not have confirmed construction dates, as we are dependent on additional budget being allocated by Transport Scotland. As soon as we have confirmed dates, they will be circulated by Amey with the necessary programming information.