Roadworks chaos up ahead for A90

DISRUPTION: Motorists warned repairs to take seven weeks

Motorists are being warned of seven weeks of major traffic disruption on the A90 between Perth and Dundee as repair work begins on a damaged flyover.

Bear Scotland has announced the £650,000 project to repair the overpass in Carse of Gowrie will begin on August 17, a week after schools reopen.

The northbound lanes of the A90 will close for nearly two months with traffic restricted to a single lane each direction on the southbound carriageway.

The flyover was badly damaged last October when it was struck by a passing lorry carrying a crane.

Traffic disruption is expected when long-awaited work to repair a flyover across the A90 next month forces the closure of the northbound dual carriageway.

Bear Scotland has announced phase one of the £650,000 project to repair the overbridge in Carse of Gowrie will begin on August 17, a week after schools reopen.

The bridge was badly damaged in October when it was struck by a lorry transporting a crane, resulting in long-term lane closures on the flyover, affecting businesses in Glencarse.

Bear Scotland will operate a contraflow system for the duration of the project, with traffic running in one lane each direction on the southbound carriageway for nearly two months.

There will also be some short overnight closures on the bridge, with diversions put in place via the Kinfauns and Glendoick junctions.

Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes said: “There is never a good time to do this work.

“The key for me is to get the bridge open as soon as possible, as its a vital link between two communities, so I am pleased to see overnight and sevenday working, which will make the inconvenience as short as possible for my constituents.”

Fellow ward councillor Alasdair Bailey said: “I’m pleased to say that the bridge repair works are finally due to start. Unfortunately it will be a long process due to the extent of the damage from the collision last year.

“To reduce the impact on the community as much as possible, I am pleased that Bear Scotland have agreed to seven-day working.”

When the first phase of work is complete, the second period of repairs is expected to start in mid-October, and will involve refurbishment of the concrete bridge deck.

Andy Thompson, Bear Scotland’s north-east unit representative said: “The repairs are a complex process with teams working to address substantial damage to a number of key components beneath and within the structure, and we’ve tried to arrange the programme to ensure the least disruption to road users and the local community as possible.”

Meanwhile, sensors are to be fitted to the Queensferry Crossing almost six months after the route was forced to close due to falling ice.

Eight vehicles were damaged, resulting in a two-day closure from February 10.

A “unique set of weather conditions” was blamed.

The sensors were first promised by the Scottish Government in 2019 after three cars were damaged by falling ice.

Bridge operators Amey will partially close the route overnight for three nights to fit the new technology.

Traffic on the Queensferry Crossing will be restricted to a single lane in each direction between 10pm and 5am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. A lorry carrying a crane hit a flyover in the Carse of Gowrie, causing major damage.

A contraflow system will be in operation and temporary diversions will also occur along the stretch of the A90 for the flyover repair works to be completed after a lorry collided with the bridge last year.