Transport Scotland has awarded Balfour Beatty a £16.85m contract to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge.
The project will involve demolishing the Kincardine Bridge’s southern piled viaduct, which has been supported by a steel propping system since 1992, and replacing it with a completely new reinforced concrete structure.
BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland’s operating company for the South East of Scotland, is managing the project, while detailed design has been carried out by Jacobs.
Main works on site are expected to get underway from early summer and construction is expected to take two years,
BEAR Scotland said disruption to road users will be minimised during the project by diverting traffic along a temporary two-lane bridge, to be constructed alongside the old viaduct. This temporary bridge will also provide access for pedestrians.
The replacement of the southern piled viaduct is designed to help ensure the Kincardine Bridge’s long-term availability for service as a key trunk route.
Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s south east unit bridges manager, said: ‘We will work with Balfour Beatty to ensure the new viaduct is in keeping with the rest of the structure, to keep the trunk road open during construction, and to mitigate the impact on the surrounding environment.’
Graeme Dickie, director of operations at Balfour Beatty said: ‘The replacement of the Kincardine Bridge southern piled viaduct is an important project, one which will ensure the long-term future use of the bridge.
‘Throughout our works, we will remain focused on reducing our impact on the environment by reusing materials from the existing structure wherever possible, whilst also minimising disruption to the travelling public and local communities.’
Cold Comfort Scotland extreme weather maintenance conference takes place at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, Falkirk on 20 April 2023.
