The ongoing programme of complex repairs to the damaged A90 Glencarse Overbridge between Perth and Dundee has been extended by a further three weeks due to engineers finding further extensive damage to vital sections of the structure.
The bridge was heavily damaged in October 2019 following a vehicle strike which required an extensive programme of repairs to bring the bridge back into a safe working order for road users.
Engineers have been working on the complex repairs since August, and after a successful first phase of the work to repair the underside of the bridge, teams moved to repairing the top of the structure. Following removal of the road surface on the overbridge engineers have identified more extensive damage to the reinforced concrete bridge deck than was envisaged, which require more extensive repairs to bring the bridge into a structurally safe working order.
The additional repair work has delayed the programme by around three weeks while teams adjusted the designs to accommodate the additional unforeseen repair work.
Engineers are progressing with the complex repairs with the bridge expecting to reopen to road users around mid-November.
Although there is no impact to the A90, the Glencarse Overbridge is currently closed to traffic while teams continue with repair work. All traffic travelling between Glencarse and St Madoes is being diverted locally.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North East Representative said: “Engineers have been working continuously on the programme of complex repairs at Glencarse Overbridge in order to safely reopen the bridge to road users.
“During the repairs, engineers located unforeseen heavily damaged areas of concrete and steel below the road surface in need of repair, so our programme has had to be adjusted to accommodate these essential phases.
“Teams are doing everything they can to repair the bridge as quickly and safely as possible to allow it to be reopened to road users.
“We thank all road users and the local community for their continued patience during this repair work, and encourage them to check Traffic Scotland for the latest travel advice.”
Real-time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.
Tuesday 29 September
The second phase of a project to repair the damaged A90 Glencarse Overbridge is set to begin next week.
The ongoing repair project will see an additional £200,000 invested throughout the second phase which will involve teams moving to the top side of the bridge. Phase two of the project will see further structural repairs, waterproofing of the bridge deck and resurfacing of the carriageway and footway.
The first phase of the repair project is nearing completion after beginning in mid-August. This has involved teams replacing the two badly damaged steel beams and bearings as well as repainting the steelwork and carrying out structural concrete repairs. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of this week.
The second and final phase is set to begin on Monday 5 October and is expected to take up to three weeks to complete.
All traffic management will be removed from the A90 during the second phase of the project, however, to keep roadworkers and motorists safe and to complete the work in the shortest possible timescale, the local road over the bridge will be closed to all traffic throughout the project. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained over the bridge. Vehicles travelling between Glencarse and St Madoes will be directed to use the signed diversion route via the nearby Kinfauns and Glendoick Junctions. The Glencarse and St Madoes slip-roads will remain open for local traffic use.
Once the second phase of repairs are completed, the local road between Glencarse and St Madoes will be restored to full two-way traffic and all current restrictions will be removed.
Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government guidance, will be in place to ensure all site personnel remain safe. Safe operating procedures and risk assessments have been developed to ensure teams are kept safe throughout the project.
Consultation has been carried out with Transport Scotland, Perth & Kinross Council, emergency services, community councils and transport operators to inform them of the project in advance.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North East Unit Representative said: “We’re pleased to see that the first phase of complex repairs is on course to finish this week and that we will soon be able to remove the traffic management that is currently in place on the A90 carriageway.
“The aim of the final phase will be to get the top of the bridge repaired and resurfaced, which will enable us to remove the temporary traffic light controls and open the bridge to two-way traffic.
“The traffic management that will be in place throughout the final phase is necessary for ensuring the safety of our workforce and motorists as well as ensuring that the repairs take place over the shortest possible timescale helping to minimise disruption.
“We thank all road users and the local community for their patience in advance while we carry out the final phase of repairs. We encourage motorists to plan their journeys in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information.”
Real-time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.
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