In the fourth quarter of 2024, BEAR Scotland delivered over £27 million in improvements and maintenance across the South East trunk road network on behalf of Transport Scotland.

This included over £7m of resurfacing projects, removing defects and improving surface quality and overall safety for motorists on various routes:

• A1 – Haddington (Oaktree) S/B and Heughhead
• A7 Canonbie
• A68 Oxton, Carfraemill, Wiselawmill and Ravenswood
• A876 Bowtrees
• A977 Gartarry
• A985 Crombie and High Valleyfield
• M9 Old Philipstoun N/B, Junction 5-4 S/B, Torwood S/B, Junction 9 S/B
• M80 Stoneywood
• M90 – Junction 2 N/B and S/B (mainline and slip); Junction 3 N/B

We also undertook landscaping improvements across the network, including significant schemes on the M9 between J4 and J7, as well as on the A68 at Soutra.

Two critical improvement schemes were carried out. The first was carried out in October where we undertook a major embankment repair at A7 Ewes Water, Langholm, protecting the embankment from further erosion with the installation of rock bags. Then in December we completed works to remediate subsidence that had occurred on the M80 northbound off-slip to Junction 9 Pirnhall, allowing traffic to be returned from the temporary slip that had been constructed in the summer.

Eleven localised drainage investigations and improvement projects were undertaken in November and December. These included new areas of filter drain and gullies on the A68, A1 and A702. Construction work also began on drainage improvements on the M876 from Bowtrees to Kilbagie.

Our programme of road markings and stud replacement on the A702 was completed in October.

Bridges projects worth over £11.5 million were delivered in the quarter.

Bearing replacement and deck refurbishment works were completed on Earlston Bridge on the A68, structural infill works were completed at Brownsbank on the A702, joints were replaced on Masterton Viaduct on the M90, and strengthening works were completed on the bridge carrying the M90 southbound over the B9080 at Kirkliston. Deck refurbishment works were completed on Bonsyde Bridge on the M9, and parapet replacements were completed on four bridges on the M9, M80 and M876.

Major refurbishment works continued on the A702 Westwater Bridge and the bridge carrying the M8 Junction 3 eastbound off-slip over the A899.

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

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

At the Kincardine Bridge, a new viaduct that has been built to replace the old substandard southern piled viaduct opened to traffic in November. Works on site to remove the temporary bridge, complete the new viaduct and reinstate the site are expected to continue until Spring 2025. This project is being carried out by Balfour Beatty, with BEAR Scotland supervising on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: “In the fourth quarter of 2024 we have completed a variety of significant maintenance and improvement projects on South East Scotland’s trunk road network on behalf of Transport Scotland.

“Road users will feel the benefit of this investment for years to come in the shape of smoother and safer journeys and a more reliable road network.”