The huge drilling rig which has been preparing the foundations for the new Upper Forth Crossing  for the past five months will soon leave the site.

The equipment has been drilling the river bed for the 25 columns which will support the bridge deck. Its work now complete, it will leave via a barge on the Forth, passing under the Kincardine Bridge on Sunday April 1.

The A876 Kincardine Bridge will be closed from 8.00 pm until 9.30 pm to allow safe movement of the rig downstream to Rosyth to avoid driver distraction.

Graham Porteous, Transport Scotland’s Project Co-ordinator, said:

"The completion of the drilling and the rig leaving the site is yet another step forward in this major project.  We are pleased work is progressing on time and look forward to the long term benefits the new bridge will bring.

"In the interest of safety and in liaison with the police and the trunk road operating company, it has been agreed to close the A876 Kincardine Bridge while the barge moves beneath it to avoid causing driver distraction."

Traffic will be diverted on a clearly signed route: northbound on the A977 to Alloa and via the A907, then southbound on the A91 to join the M9 at Pirnhall.

The major project will bring enormous benefits to drivers, communities and the economy by giving road users a second crossing over the Forth at Kincardine.

For more details see A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine Project