In the third quarter of 2024, BEAR Scotland has delivered over £26 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 £9 million, improving surface quality and overall safety for motorists on various routes: 

• In July we delivered resurfacing schemes on the A702 at Dolphinton and Hillend, and on the M8 at Hermiston Gait Roundabout, Junction 3 and Junction 5  

• In August we delivered resurfacing schemes on the M9 at Junction 7, the A720 at Lothianburn and Hermiston, the M8 at Junction 4 and the A702 from Overburns to Coulter.  

• And in September we delivered significant resurfacing schemes on the M8 at Harthill and the A68 through Pathhead. 

A comprehensive programme of road marking and stud replacement works was completed on the A702 between Abington Roundabout and Hillend during August and September. 

Drainage improvements were completed on the M9 prior to Junction 4, the A876 from Bowtrees to Kilbagie, and the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass from Lothianburn to Baberton, with manhole and gully replacement, CCTV surveys and jetting work completed on the M80 ahead of enhancements to the filter drains later in the year. A drainage investigation was completed on the M9 at Bannockburn ahead of works to improve the surface water network at a vulnerable flood site. 

Vegetation clearance commenced in advance of a trio of boundary fence schemes on the M9 from Keir to Burghmuir. 

The project to replace the Southern Piled Viaduct (SPV) on the Kincardine Bridge continues on programme, with traffic expected to run on the new viaduct for the first time in November. 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, ongoing major projects to refurbish Westwater Bridge and Brownsbank Bridge on the A702, Earlston Bridge on the A68, Bonsyde Bridge on the M9 and the bridge carrying the M8 Junction 3 eastbound off-slip over the A899 continue to make good progress. Strengthening works on the bridge carrying the M90 southbound over the B9080 at Kirkliston began in September along with parapet replacements on four bridges across the M9, M80 and M876 routes. 

On the Queensferry Crossing, work to upgrade the architectural lighting commenced in August. The new system is expected to deliver an energy saving of approximately 80%. 

On the Forth Road Bridge, work continues on projects to refurbish the main cable dehumidification system, the central grillage, and the suspended span under-deck access walkways. 

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: “In the third quarter of 2024 we have delivered a significant volume of improvements across South East Scotland’s trunk road network on behalf of our client Transport Scotland.  

“This high level of investment will have significant benefits for road users for years to come, delivering safer and smoother journeys and a higher quality, more reliable trunk road network. While this level of activity inevitably means some disruption, we’ll continue to work closely with local communities to minimise this wherever possible.”