An 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge has been 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.
Over the last year a substandard piled viaduct at the southern end has been demolished and replaced with a completely new reinforced concrete structure. The new viaduct is similar in appearance to adjacent spans on the original bridge.
During construction of the new viaduct, a temporary bridge running alongside the original structure allowed traffic, pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the Kincardine Bridge with minimal disruption.
Works on site to remove the temporary bridge, complete the new viaduct and reinstate the site are expected to continue until Spring 2025.
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.
Disruption to road users has been minimised during the project by diverting traffic along a temporary two-lane bridge, constructed alongside the old viaduct. This temporary bridge also provided access for pedestrians.
Short-term lane closures and full bridge closures are still required for specific construction activities, however these are 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.
David Bishop, 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.
“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.
Bridge closure to connect new viaduct 15 to 18 November 2024 Motorists using the A985 are reminded to plan ahead and expect delays on the weekend of 15 to 18 November, when the Kincardine Bridge will be closed to allow a section of the bridge that has been replaced to
Weekend closure to connect A985 on 15 to 18 November 2024 A new viaduct that has been constructed to replace an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge is set to open to traffic for the first time on Monday 18 November. The Kincardine Bridge is made up of multiple connected
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.
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