In one of the most significant upgrades to the historic Kincardine Bridge in recent years, an 80-metre section of the structure was successfully replaced earlier this year. The £16.85 million contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty in February 2023, marking a major milestone in the ongoing preservation of the Category A listed bridge.

The Kincardine Bridge is made up of several connected spans, including a piled viaduct at the southern end that was identified in 1984 by civil engineers as substandard. To maintain safety, a steel propping system was installed in 1992 as a temporary measure, while the viaduct remained under close monitoring.

This project saw the demolition of the substandard piled viaduct and the construction of a brand-new reinforced concrete structure in its place. Designed to ensure long-term structural integrity while respecting the historical character of the bridge, the new viaduct closely mirrors the appearance of the original spans.

To maintain connectivity throughout the works, a temporary two-lane bridge was built alongside the old viaduct. This allowed road traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists to continue using the crossing with minimal disruption during construction.

Given the Kincardine Bridge’s Category A listed status, close collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland and Falkirk Council was essential. Original parapets and lamp posts from the demolished viaduct were reinstated on the new structure to preserve its historic look and feel.

The design team also worked closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NatureScot and Marine Scotland due to the environmental sensitivity of the surrounding area. The coastline of the Firth of Forth is recognised as a Special Protection Area, a Ramsar Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, requiring careful planning and environmental safeguards throughout the project.

Click to view an animation of the works.