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Mini-ramps to help bridge traffic | Mini-ramps to help bridge traffic |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Plans for "mini-bridges" designed to reduce the impact of major roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge, scheduled for next year, have been unveiled. | Plans for "mini-bridges" designed to reduce the impact of major roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge, scheduled for next year, have been unveiled. |
Two large temporary ramps over the main expansion joints would allow workers to rebuild the worn-out components while traffic continues to flow overhead. | Two large temporary ramps over the main expansion joints would allow workers to rebuild the worn-out components while traffic continues to flow overhead. |
A study showed a continuous contraflow of eight weeks would be needed to replace the bridge's expansion joints. | A study showed a continuous contraflow of eight weeks would be needed to replace the bridge's expansion joints. |
The custom-built ramps would be 80 metres long and two metres high. | The custom-built ramps would be 80 metres long and two metres high. |
They would be positioned under each of the Forth Road Bridge's towers. | They would be positioned under each of the Forth Road Bridge's towers. |
These joints have reached the end of their design life and need to be replaced Barry ColfordFeta chief engineer | These joints have reached the end of their design life and need to be replaced Barry ColfordFeta chief engineer |
A 30mph speed limit would be in place and all vehicles except HGVs would be able to use them. | A 30mph speed limit would be in place and all vehicles except HGVs would be able to use them. |
The ramps would take several days to construct and dismantle, so week-long contraflows would still be required at the beginning and the end of the project. | The ramps would take several days to construct and dismantle, so week-long contraflows would still be required at the beginning and the end of the project. |
Similar restrictions would be required the following year when the joints on the opposite carriageway were replaced. | Similar restrictions would be required the following year when the joints on the opposite carriageway were replaced. |
However, at least six weeks of continuous contraflow would be avoided each year. | However, at least six weeks of continuous contraflow would be avoided each year. |
A new report to the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) shows that estimated costs for the scheme are still to be finalised, but there would be a significant increase over the original £3.5m estimate for replacing the main expansion joints. | A new report to the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) shows that estimated costs for the scheme are still to be finalised, but there would be a significant increase over the original £3.5m estimate for replacing the main expansion joints. |
Additional funding would be needed from the Scottish Government. | Additional funding would be needed from the Scottish Government. |
'Significant cost' | 'Significant cost' |
Barry Colford, Feta chief engineer and bridgemaster, said: "These joints have reached the end of their design life and need to be replaced. | Barry Colford, Feta chief engineer and bridgemaster, said: "These joints have reached the end of their design life and need to be replaced. |
"However, eight weeks of continuous contraflow on the Forth Road Bridge would bring almost intolerable pressure to bear on the transport network. | "However, eight weeks of continuous contraflow on the Forth Road Bridge would bring almost intolerable pressure to bear on the transport network. |
"That's why we kept on looking for innovative ways of reducing the period of closures required. | "That's why we kept on looking for innovative ways of reducing the period of closures required. |
"We've worked up the design of these ramps and carried out the calculations, and we've now confirmed that this is technically possible. | "We've worked up the design of these ramps and carried out the calculations, and we've now confirmed that this is technically possible. |
"Some strengthening of the bridge deck will be required and the overall cost and length of the project will increase." | "Some strengthening of the bridge deck will be required and the overall cost and length of the project will increase." |
Tony Martin, Feta convener, said: "These ramps will add significantly to the cost of replacing the main expansion joints. | |
"However, recent economic studies indicate that this is good value for money compared to the delays and costs to business of a continuous eight-week contraflow. | "However, recent economic studies indicate that this is good value for money compared to the delays and costs to business of a continuous eight-week contraflow. |
"Initial feedback from our major stakeholders has been very positive, and they have indicated that two separate one-week closures would be far easier to cope with than a continuous eight-week period. | "Initial feedback from our major stakeholders has been very positive, and they have indicated that two separate one-week closures would be far easier to cope with than a continuous eight-week period. |
"HGVs would probably not be able to cross the bridge in one direction during the works, but this only represents 3% of the bridge's total traffic." | "HGVs would probably not be able to cross the bridge in one direction during the works, but this only represents 3% of the bridge's total traffic." |
The Feta board will discuss the proposal at their next meeting on 22 February. | The Feta board will discuss the proposal at their next meeting on 22 February. |
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