In the second quarter of 2024, BEAR Scotland has delivered £19.5 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 £8.5 million, improving surface quality and overall safety for motorists on various routes:

• In April we delivered seven surfacing schemes on the M80, A1 and M9, as well as a significant complementary drainage project on the A1 at Abbotsview.
• During May, we delivered six schemes on the A1, A68 and M8.
• In June we delivered seven structural maintenance schemes on the A1 at Bowshiel and Dolphingstone, the A7 at Glenmayne, the A720 around Hermiston Gait, the A985 Admiralty Roundabout and M876 Junction 2. Six routine surfacing schemes were also delivered on the A7, A68 and A720.

In the period we also completed works on the M8 including a comprehensive programme of road marking refreshment and road stud replacement, and an upgrade of safety barriers between Junctions 5 and 6.

The project to replace the Southern Piled Viaduct (SPV) on the Kincardine Bridge continues on programme and has now passed the halfway mark with foundations now complete and new piers and arches taking shape above ground. 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, the latest phase of major works to refurbish the deck on the bridge carrying the M9 over the River Almond near Newbridge has been substantially completed. Ongoing major projects to refurbish Westwater Bridge on the A702 and the bridge carrying the M8 Junction 3 eastbound off-slip over the A899 continue to make good progress.

On the Forth Road Bridge, work continues on projects to refurbish the main cable dehumidification system and the central grillage.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: “The second quarter of 2024 has seen us deliver an ambitious programme of improvements across South East Scotland’s trunk road network on behalf of our client Transport Scotland. With a continuing high level of investment in the network we expect to be just as busy in the months ahead. While this inevitably means some disruption to road users, the benefits to the condition of the trunk road network are significant.”