Roadworks and lane closures will continue at the Queensferry Crossing this week.

They're required as the final phase of the project to make it easier to divert traffic onto the Forth Road Bridge continues on the M90.

And there will be a full trial of the process on the night of Saturday April 20.

Last year the new system of moveable automated barriers was successfully tested and ‘intelligent road studs’ are also in place that will light up and guide motorists onto the diversion route, removing the need to manually lay out traffic cones.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s south east unit bridges manager, said: “This new system will significantly reduce the time it takes to open a diversion via the Forth Road Bridge, should the Queensferry Crossing need to close for any reason.

Dunfermline Press: The new automated barriers were successfully tested in November. The new automated barriers were successfully tested in November. (Image: BEAR Scotland)

“Last year we carried out a successful trial of the automated vehicle restraint barriers and the improvements we have made since then will further reduce the time it takes to open the diversion route.

“The trial diversion on the night of April 20 will allow us to test the new system and identify and address any issues before it needs to be used in future.

“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.”

The final phase involves upgrading the automated barriers 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.

Dunfermline Press: Traffic will be diverted onto the Forth Road Bridge if the Queensferry Crossing has to close for any reason, as it did in February 2020.Traffic will be diverted onto the Forth Road Bridge if the Queensferry Crossing has to close for any reason, as it did in February 2020. (Image: Newsquest)

Various lane and road closures will be in place this week for the works and signed diversions will be in place where required.

Until April 21: Closure of the M90 hard shoulder on junction 1B Ferrytoll southbound on-slip and M90 southbound; and closure of the M90 northbound hard shoulder next to junction 1B Ferrytoll, and lane closure on Ferrytoll northbound off-slip with hard shoulder running.

Until April 17: From 8.30pm to 6am the closure of lane two, northbound and southbound, of the M90 next to junction 1B Ferrytoll.

April 18 and 20: From 10.30pm to 5am the full closure of M90, in both directions, next to junction 1B Ferrytoll.

April 20: From midnight to 8am the full closure of the Queensferry Crossing, with traffic to be diverted across the Forth Road Bridge.

Dunfermline Press: This is how the traffic diversion process should work, according to the manufacturer of the barriers, SPIE. This is how the traffic diversion process should work, according to the manufacturer of the barriers, SPIE. (Image: SPIE)

Motorists 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 allow extra time for their journey.

BEAR Scotland are leading this project on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Tarmac are responsible for the surfacing, Clearview Intelligence are responsible for the installation of the new intelligent road studs and SPIE for the upgrade of the automated barrier system.