THE next phase of the project to enhance the Queensferry Crossing traffic diversion process gets underway this month. 

Following last year's successful trial of the new system of moveable automated barriers, a series of phased roadworks on the M90 will take place over nine weeks, beginning on Monday, February 19.

Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “This new system will dramatically reduce the time it takes to open a diversion via the Forth Road Bridge, should the Queensferry Crossing need to close for any reason.

“Last year we carried out a successful trial of the automated vehicle restraint barriers and we’re now ready to install intelligent road studs and upgrade the control system so that it can be deployed at the touch of a single button.

"These improvements will further reduce the time it takes to open the diversion route, should this be required.

“Once these works are complete, we’ll carry out another full trial of the system later in the year.”

The Queensferry Crossing will not be closed during these works, but local diversions will be in place for traffic using the M90 north and south of the bridge.

The next phase beginning on Monday, February 19, involves four nights of resurfacing works north and south of the Queensferry Crossing, to maximise the lifespan of the new road studs. 

On Monday the M90 mainline southbound south of the Queensferry Crossing will be closed from 10.30pm to 6am. Southbound traffic will be diverted from Junction 1A Queensferry via the A904 to Echline Junction, then via the southbound Public Transport Link onto the A90 into Edinburgh, Maybury Road and Glasgow Road to M9 Junction 1 Newbridge.

On Tuesday, February 20, the M90 mainline northbound will be closed south of the Queensferry Crossing from 10.30pm to 6am. Traffic joining the M90 northbound from the A90 will be diverted up the northbound Public Transport Link then onto the B800 towards Echline Junction, the A904 and Queensferry Junction.

Traffic wishing to join the M90 northbound from the M9 eastbound will be diverted off at M9 Junction 2, onto the B8046 and then the A904 to M90 Junction 1A Queensferry.

Traffic wishing to join the M90 northbound from the M9 westbound will be diverted on to M9 Junction 3, and then back eastbound to exit at M9 Junction 2, onto the B8046 and then the A904 to M90 Junction 1A Queensferry.

The M9 Junction 1B Winchburgh eastbound on-slip will be closed, with traffic diverted from M9 Junction 3.

On Wednesday, the M90 mainline northbound will be closed north of Queensferry Crossing from 10.30pm to 6am. Northbound traffic will be diverted off the M90 to Ferrytoll Junction and then immediately back on again. 

And finally, on Thursday, February 22, the M90 mainline southbound will be closed north of Queensferry Crossing from 10.30pm to 6am. Southbound traffic will be diverted over the A9000 Forth Road Bridge, exiting at Echline Junction then along the A904 Builyeon Road to rejoin the M90 at Junction 1A Queensferry.

This will be followed by the installation of the intelligent road studs themselves, with two weeks of overnight works beginning on 26 February, again requiring road closures with local diversions. 

In March and April, the automated barriers will be upgraded with new components to allow the system on both sides of the Queensferry Crossing to be operated by a single button, further reducing the time it will take to divert traffic.

Various lane and road closures will be required, with two weeks of work on the south side commencing on March 11, followed by another two weeks on the north side from April 8. 

Road users using the Queensferry Crossing or Forth Road Bridge during these works are encouraged to plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date travel information and allowing extra time for their journey.