The second quarter of 2023 marks the beginning of a new financial year for BEAR Scotland’s client, Transport Scotland. In this quarter we’ve delivered over £18.5 million in improvements and maintenance across the South East trunk road network.

Over the three months over 40% of our dedicated resurfacing allocations was delivered. Resurfacing projects worth a total of £7.34 million have improved surface quality and overall safety for motorists at locations throughout the network.

This included motorway improvements, with various sections of the M8, M9 and M80 being upgraded, as well as resurfacing schemes on other trunk roads including the A1, A7, A702, A720 and A977. Machine patching works were also carried out on the A1, A68 and A702.

The Routine Maintenance team have replaced over 6,000 metres of filter drain on the eastbound A720, Edinburgh City Bypass between Baberton, Dreghorn and Lothianburn junctions. Work has also commenced on drainage improvements on the A68 from Salters Road Junction to the B6414 overpass.

Another phase of the programme of M8 central reserve barrier upgrades was delivered in the first quarter of the new financial year, this time over the section between Bogfoot Road and the Unit extents near to Junction 6.

On the South East network’s bridges, work has continued on the major refurbishment of the bridge that carries the eastbound slip road off the M8 at junction 3. Following the identification of defects on another bridge further along the slip road, the same closure is being used to carry out concrete repairs and resurfacing on both bridges, with the slip road expected to reopen in late July.

The final phase of a scheme to replace safety barriers around the intermediate piers of various structures on the A1 was also completed.

The project to replace the Southern Piled Viaduct (SPV) on the Kincardine bridge got underway on site on 2 May with enabling works. On 15 May construction of the North Access slip lane commenced along with contractor site mobilisation. This project will involve demolishing an 80-metre section of the Kincardine Bridge that has been assessed as substandard and replacing it with a completely new reinforced concrete structure. Construction is expected to take between 18 months and two years.

Maintenance and refurbishment works have continued on the Forth Road Bridge, during this quarter we have completed the replacement of the roadway and footway bearings at the side tower and continue our works to strengthen the Side Tower Lateral Thrust Bearing.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: “This quarter has seen us continue the delivery of Transport Scotland’s ambitious programme of improvements across South East Scotland’s trunk road network. This will benefit all those who use these strategic routes and we look forward to delivering further improvements over the months ahead.”