AUTOMATED barriers to speed up the traffic diversion process from the Queensferry Crossing to the Forth Road Bridge will soon be in place.
But there will be an overnight slip road closure, at the Ferrytoll junction of the M90 motorway, next week to allow the work to progress.
The new barriers will come into play if the crossing needs to shut for any reason, such as ice falling from the cables, and are due to be tried out in the autumn.
Currently, in the event of a closure, motorists face a lengthy detour via Kincardine Bridge while traffic management equipment is manually moved into place so that the Forth Road Bridge can be used, a process which can take up to six hours.
BEAR Scotland’s south east unit bridges manager, Chris Tracey, said: “Our intention is to be able to test the new automated barriers and conduct a trial later this autumn.
“The majority of the groundworks on the north side of the Queensferry Crossing have now been completed adjacent to the motorway, behind the protection of a temporary concrete safety barrier.
"We’re now ready to remove this barrier and proceed to the next phase of the project."
The project is on target for completion this autumn, with construction of foundations, ducting, drainage and surfacing largely complete.
A total of 10 new concrete bases have been cast in the verges north and south of the bridge.
The next phase will see the installation of the barriers themselves, together with their cabling and control systems.
To do so safely the slip road joining the southbound M90 at Junction 1B Ferrytoll will be closed between 8pm and 5am on the night of Thursday August 24, with a signed diversion in place via Junction 1C Admiralty.
This is to allow the safe removal of a concrete safety barrier that has been protecting the workforce during recent works to install the automated barriers on either side of the Queensferry Crossing.
Tracey added: “It’s essential for safety that we close the slip road during this operation, however we’ll do this overnight to minimise the disruption to road users.”
BEAR Scotland is leading this project as part of its responsibility for the south east trunk road network on behalf of Transport Scotland.
John Paul Construction is responsible for the completing the civil engineering works and SPIE is responsible for the installation of the automated barrier system.
Relevant stakeholders have been consulted in advance to make them aware of the plans.
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