Queensferry Crossing Scheduled Closures for Maintenance
The Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth will be closed for part of the weekend to facilitate essential maintenance works.
Thousands of overnight drivers using the M90 motorway will be diverted onto the Forth Road Bridge, which is typically reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport.
Details of the Closures and Diversions
During the closures on Friday and Sunday nights, the overhead gantry signage at the central and south towers of the Queensferry Crossing will be replaced.
Road users have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys due to the diversions.
Bear Scotland, the contractor working on behalf of Transport Scotland, announced it will also conduct a practice deployment of an automated diversion system for the bridges over the weekend.
The M90 southbound carriageway will be closed between Junction 1B Ferrytoll and Junction 1A Queensferry from 22:00 on Friday until 07:00 on Saturday, and again from 22:00 on Sunday until 05:00 on Monday.
Traffic will be diverted onto the A9000 Forth Road Bridge, exiting via Echline Junction and continuing west on the A904 to rejoin the M90 at Junction 1A Queensferry.
Between 22:00 on Saturday and 08:00 on Sunday, there will be a full practice deployment of the automated diversion system for motorway traffic.
Vehicles traveling in both directions on the M90 will be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge that was the fourth longest in the world when it opened in 1964.
Maintenance and Inspection Works on the Forth Road Bridge
While the Queensferry Crossing is closed, inspections and maintenance works will be carried out on the 1.7 mile-long (2.7 km) suspension bridge.
These works include refreshing white lines, replacing missing road studs, maintaining bollard lighting, and removing old architectural lighting from the central tower.
Statements from BEAR Scotland
"These overnight closures will allow us carry out essential maintenance works, inspections on the Queensferry Crossing and to test the automated diversion system to identify and address any issues so that it is ready to be used if required."
"It is important that road users comply with red X signs above the carriageway when these appear, as the diversion route cannot be opened until traffic on the motorway has stopped.
"If there are red X signs above all lanes, you must come to a stop."
David Bishop, from BEAR Scotland, emphasised the importance of compliance with traffic signals during the closures.
Advice for Road Users
Road users crossing the river at Queensferry during these works are encouraged to check the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date travel information.
