ROADS leading to the Queensferry Crossing have closed this week as work on automated barriers has begun.
The M90 will be closed in both directions north of the bridge next to Ferrytoll Junction beginning Monday, 21 and is due to finish on Saturday.
The roads will be closed between 10.30pm and 6am each night as work to service automated barriers will begin.
From October 28 to November 2, the motorway south of the bridge between Scotstoun and Queensferry Junctions will be closed in both directions overnight as well.
Automated moveable barriers were installed on the roads in 2023 and intelligent road studs, which light up to guide motorists onto a diversion route, were installed earlier in the year.
BEAR Scotland, which is carrying out the work on behalf of Transport Scotland, held a trial of the system earlier this year which saw the diversion network deployed in 19 minutes.
From October 28 to November 2, the motorway south of the bridge between Scotstoun and Queensferry Junctions will be closed in both directions overnight as well.
David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s south east unit bridges manager, has urged drivers to be vigilant for red cross signs which indicate which lanes have been closed.
He said: “The system of automated barriers that we have installed significantly reduces the time it takes to open a diversion via the Forth Road Bridge, should the Queensferry Crossing need to close for any reason.
“This autumn we’ll be servicing the system during overnight road closures and there will be two full overnight trials of the system. It is important that road users comply with red X signs above the carriageway when these appear, as the diversion cannot be opened until traffic on the motorway has stopped.”
Bishop added: “If there are red X signs above all lanes, you must come to a stop.”
The final part of the works will see two full trials of the diversion system carried out with traffic in both directions rerouted over the A9000 Forth Road Bridge.
Work on the final stage is planned to take place on November 9 and 10 between midnight and 8am.
