THE next phase of the installation of automated barriers on either side of the Queensferry Crossing is set to commence on Monday.
These barriers will allow M90 traffic to be diverted via the Forth Road Bridge more quickly, should the Queensferry Crossing need to be closed for any reason.
Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland South East Unit Bridges Manager said: “The new automated barriers are expected to dramatically reduce the time it takes to implement a diversion via the Forth Road Bridge, removing the need for most of the manual work to set up traffic management.
This will improve the resilience of the trunk road network and minimise disruption.”
With foundations now in place, Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland is ready to install the barriers themselves.
This requires work on the verges and central reservation of the M90 on both sides of the Queensferry Crossing, as well as resurfacing works on the hard shoulder of the slip road onto the southbound M90 at Junction 1B Ferrytoll.
All work will take place at night to minimise disruption.
During the day there will be two lanes running in each direction at all times. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained.
Resurfacing of the Ferrytoll southbound on-slip hard shoulder will take place on the night of Monday, September 25.
Road users wishing to join the M90 southbound at Ferrytoll on Monday night will be diverted northbound on the M90 to turn and join the M90 southbound at Admiralty Junction.
Verge barrier installation will commence on the night of Monday, October 2 for two weeks, and central reservation barrier installation will commence on the night of Monday, October 23 for two weeks.
To allow testing and commissioning of the barriers, the M90 northbound carriageway will be closed between Scotstoun and Ferrytoll from 10pm until 5am on the night of Tuesday, October 31, with northbound traffic diverted via the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge.
The southbound carriageway will then be closed between Ferrytoll and Scotstoun from 10pm until 5am on the night of Wednesday 1 November, with southbound traffic diverted via the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge.
A trial deployment of the barriers will be carried out on the night of Saturday 4 November to ensure they are operating correctly.
The Queensferry Crossing will then be closed in both directions from 11pm until 5am with all M90 traffic diverted via the Forth Road Bridge.
Road users should expect delays at the beginning and end of this period as traffic is stopped while the diversion is implemented and removed.
Further works will be undertaken in 2024 to fully automate the system and install ‘intelligent road studs’, which will light up to guide traffic onto the diversion route.
Road users using the M90 during these works are encouraged to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot for up-to-date travel information and allowing extra time for their journey.