As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ is replacing the bridge bearings at the South Abutment of Erskine Bridge. Scotland TranServ will be assisted by our supply chain partners, the Spencer Group and COWI. Works will take place over four weekends, starting at the end of January.

The bearings are original features, and have been in place since the completion of the bridge in 1971. They are now reaching the end of their maintainable life and in need of replacement.

Peter McCann, Scotland TranServ’s Major Bridges Manager said:

“Scotland TranServ has consulted widely in the programming of these essential works, consulting the local authority, emergency services, community groups and other key stakeholders, seeking their input in the careful and considered planning of the works.

“We are aware of the impact of the necessary overnight bridge closure, and the implementation of weekend lane closures. These aren’t measures we take lightly, and that is why it has taken many months for the project to be designed and consulted upon. Scotland TranServ would like to take this opportunity to thank drivers and the local community for their patience while these essential works are carried out.”

In order to deliver this programme of work as quickly and safely as possible, with minimal disruption to commuters and business, Scotland TranServ is implementing a staggered traffic management approach, in order to minimise bridge closures to 4 hours, from midnight each Friday until 4am early on the Saturday morning. It will however be necessary to operate under a single lane at other times across the weekend. Lane management is currently identified as such:

• Friday 8pm to midnight – single lane open in both directions
• Friday midnight to Saturday 4am – Erskine Bridge closed to all traffic, except emergency service vehicles
• Saturday 4am to Monday 6am – single lane open both directions
• All lanes open to traffic from Monday 6am.

The implementation of single lane traffic management will be necessary across each weekend to allow the bedding grout beneath the new bearings enough time to sufficiently harden.

The weekend works programme will therefore be as follows:

• 8pm Friday 31^st January to 6am Monday 3^rd February – Trial jack and investigations
• 8pm Friday 7^th to 6am Monday 10^th February – South East bearing replacement
• 8pm Friday 14^th to 6am Monday 17^th February – South West bearing replacement
• 8pm Friday 21^st to 6am Monday 24^th February – Contingency weekend

During the periods of overnight closure, signed diversions will be implemented. At other times during the weekend it is expected that lane management will cause significant delays.

Bluetooth monitoring will be in place to directly report on traffic flows. Special arrangements are being made for emergency service vehicles. However, no additional arrangements will be made for windfarm traffic.

The works programme is subject to weather conditions. Additional measures will be taken to ensure the atmospheric temperatures immediately surrounding the bearings are sufficient to allow the grout to properly harden during this time.

Drivers are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys during these weekends. Live trunk road information can be found at trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.