The £120 million project to build a new road bridge over the Forth at Kincardine will take a major step forward this week with the delivery of a crucial piece of equipment to the site via a barge on the river Forth.
A large drilling rig that is essential for preparing the river bed for the bridge columns will be delivered to the site on Thursday if weather conditions are suitable.
The A876 Kincardine Bridge will be closed in the early hours of 5 October 2006 morning to allow safe delivery of the rig without giving cause for driver distraction.
Graham Porteous, Transport Scotland’s Project Co-ordinator, said:
"The delivery of the drilling rig is a significant step forward in the new Upper Forth Crossing project.
"We are pleased work is progressing on time and look forward to the long term benefits this project will bring in improving connections between the Forth Valley and Central Scotland by providing another Forth crossing.
“In liaison with the police and trunk road operating company Amey, it has been agreed to close the A876 Kincardine Bridge in the interest of safety while the barge moves beneath it, to avoid causing driver distraction.”
Kenny Kerr, Amey’s Unit Manager for South East Scotland said:
"For safety reasons we plan to close Kincardine bridge for around an hour and a half as the barge approaches and negotiates it.
"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
"Our specialist bridge engineers will be on-site throughout the operation to help ensure a trouble free passage of the barge."
The barge will move upstream (westerly) from Rosyth, passing under the Kincardine Bridge at around 6.00 am. The A876 will be closed from around 5.30 am until 7.00 am.
The major project to build the new crossing will bring enormous benefits to drivers, communities and the economy by giving road users a second crossing over the Forth at Kincardine, and will relieve congestion on the existing Kincardine Bridge.
