Bridge ‘safe’ after A90 crane smash

A FLYOVER on the A90 was reopened early today after a crane smashed i nto it yesterday afternoon.

A low-loader had been carrying the crane between Perth and Dundee when it struck the underside of the bridge, at St Madoes, at around 4.40pm.

The crash forced the eastbound carriageway and bridge to be shut for 12 hours, causing major disruption for people travelling between the two cities who were forced to use local diversions.

No one was incident.

Bear Scotland confirmed the road had been opened in the early hours, though alternate lane closures were expected to remain in place throughout today to allow a more detailed inspection to be carried out.

Bruce Macdougall, 45, who lives in St Madoes, heard the collision from his home nearby.

He said: “I was in the kitchen when I heard a massive bang.

“A low loader was coming from Perth to Dundee with a crane on it and the crane was too big for the bridge.

“I’m really surprised that the crane didn’t come off the back and smash into cars. It could have been a lot worse.”

A structural engineer was sent to the bridge to assess the damage and ensure there was no danger to motorists if it was re-opened to traffic.

A water main was also hit, knocking out the supply to residents in the St Madoes and Glencarse areas.

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It also burst and caused a deluge of water to spill out over the carriageway

Scottish Water said a crew was dispatched to carry out repairs as water spilled all over the road.

Supplies were disrupted in the area for several hours while engineers frantically worked to restore water to the surrounding homes in what is classed as the Perth PH2 area.

Meanwhile, Police Scotland confirmed the road had been inspected and assessed as ready to be opened almost exactly 12 hours after the initial crash.

A spokesman said: “The road was deemed structurally safe enough to re-open after an initial inspection. It was reopened at 4.30am.”

“Inspectors from Bear Scotland went back to the flyover at first light to carry out a further structural survey.

“At this stage the bridge has passed an inspection and it’s safe to reopen the road to all traffic at this stage.”

The low-loader was transporting a crane. Inset, police at the scene.