An 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge is being replaced, in a major upgrade for the Category A listed structure. The £16.85m contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty in February 2023.
The Kincardine Bridge is made up of multiple connected spans, including a piled viaduct at the southern end, which was assessed by civil engineers in 1984 as substandard in design. Since then, the viaduct has been closely monitored, and a steel propping system was installed in 1992 to provide interim structural support.
Contractor Balfour Beatty is tasked with demolishing the southern piled viaduct and replacing it with a completely new reinforced concrete structure.
The contract is being let by Transport Scotland as the client, with operating company BEAR Scotland overseeing the project on their behalf. Detailed design has been carried out by Jacobs.
Construction is expected to take between 18 months and two years.
Disruption to road users is being minimised during the project by diverting traffic along a temporary two-lane bridge, constructed alongside the old viaduct. This temporary bridge also provides access for pedestrians.
Short-term lane closures and full bridge closures will still be required for specific construction activities, however these will be limited and timed to minimise disruption.
With the Kincardine Bridge designated as a Category A listed structure, the design team has liaised closely with Historic Environment Scotland and Falkirk Council. The new viaduct will be similar in appearance to adjacent spans on the original bridge, with lamp posts and parapets from the demolished viaduct reinstated on the new structure.
Liaison has also been ongoing with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NatureScot and Marine Scotland, with the coastline of the Firth of Forth designated as a Special Protection Area, Ramsar Site and Site of Special Scientific Interest. An environmental impact assessment has been prepared to consider the potential cumulative effects of the proposed scheme and the most effective methods of mitigation.
The project team including BEAR Scotland and Balfour Beatty are committed to engaging key stakeholders and local communities in the planning of this bridge refurbishment. The local community will be kept up to date with the progress of the project and other community benefits being delivered.
Click here for frequently asked questions about the project FAQs
Click here for the Presentation that was delivered at the Kincardine Community Meeting on 29 March 23.
Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The replacement of the southern piled viaduct will help to ensure the Kincardine Bridge’s long-term availability for service as a key trunk route.
“Our priorities for the project are to maintain the structural integrity of the bridge, 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.
“Traffic modelling suggests that by maintaining two-way traffic during construction, no significant delays will occur at peak times under normal circumstances, although some lane closures and limited full closures will be required.
“We are committed to keeping road users and local communities fully informed as the project progresses.”
Progress photos will be published every month throughout the project to replace the Kincardine Bridge’s Southern Piled Viaduct.
Diversion via Clackmannanshire Bridge from 20:00 on Friday 27 October to 06:00 on Monday 30 October 2023 The project to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge is set to take a major step forward on the weekend of 27-30 October, with the connection of the temporary bridge that
Due to the ongoing project to replace the Southern Piled Viaduct of the Kincardine Bridge, the footpath adjacent to the northbound carriageway is now closed till mid-Oct. The other footpath remains open.
Project to replace southern piled viaduct moves to next phase The project to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge is about to move to the next phase, with piling works due to commence on Monday 7 August. The works will see temporary piles driven into the ground close
Balfour Beatty starts £16.85m bridge upgrade - establishing site compound and access Balfour Beatty is starting work on the £16.85m Transport Scotland-funded project to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge by getting the site compound set up. The two-year project involves construction of a temporary bridge, the demolition
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