In the first quarter of 2024, BEAR Scotland has delivered £21.4 million in improvements and maintenance across the South East trunk road network on behalf of our client Transport Scotland.

This included resurfacing projects worth a total of £3.3 million, improving surface quality and overall safety for motorists on various routes.

In February three resurfacing schemes were delivered on the A1 at Abbostview northbound, Abbotsview southbound and South of Bankton southbound. One routine surfacing was also undertaken on the M80 Prior to Haggs southbound.

In March resurfacing schemes were completed on the M9 prior to Junction 1A southbound, the A1 at Grantshouse, Houndwood and Bankton and on the M8 between Hermiston and Ratho westbound.

Laybys were upgraded on the A68 near Dalkeith and south of Carfraemill Roundabout.

Roadside safety barriers were upgraded on the A720 at Straiton Junction, and works to upgrade the M8 central reserve barriers between the Deans Road overbridge and Junction 3A commenced in February.

Road safety signs and verge markers were upgraded at various locations on the A7. A68, A702 and A6091.

In January we delivered over £180,000 of localised drainage improvements on the M9 prior to Junction 4 northbound and on the M8 at Polkemmet eastbound, including new chamber covers, new gullies, jetting and CCTV surveys.

The project to replace the Southern Piled Viaduct (SPV) on the Kincardine Bridge continues on programme, with recent on-site activities focusing on cofferdam excavation and bracing works along with the commencement of reinforced concrete works.  This project is being carried out by Balfour Beatty, with BEAR Scotland supervising on behalf of Transport Scotland.

On the South East network’s other bridges, Phase 2 of the project to refurbish the bridge carrying the M8 Junction 3 eastbound off-slip over the A899 commenced. Work to replace the edge beam and parapet on the southbound carriageway of the A702 Coulter Bridge was completed, and deck refurbishment works began on the bridge carrying the M9 over the River Almond near Newbridge.

Work to enhance the Queensferry Crossing diversion process continued, with installation of ‘intelligent road studs’ to delineate lanes at the crossover points and upgrading of the control system to allow automated barriers on both sides of the bridge to be operated by a single button.

On the Forth Road Bridge, work was completed on projects to replace bearings and to refurbish the main tower cross girder box sections. Work also began on refurbishment of the main cable dehumidification system.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: “In the  first quarter of 2024 we were pleased to deliver a significant number of improvements across South East Scotland’s trunk road network on behalf of our client Transport Scotland. With the weather now improving we look forward to delivering an even more ambitious programme over the year ahead.”