Guay Overbridge beam installation marks another A9 Dualling milestone
A major construction milestone on the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project will take place later this month as precast concrete beams are lifted into place for the new Guay Overbridge.
The installation of 12 precast concrete beams will be the first stage of forming the deck of the new overbridge, which when complete will maintain access for local residents, businesses and landowners across the future dual carriageway.
Using a specialist crane, the beams measuring up to 33.5 metres in length and weighing up to 84 tonnes will be lifted into position during carefully planned overnight works.
Transport Scotland Project Manager, Ruth Whillis, said:
The installation of the Guay Overbridge beams is an important step forward for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project and a visible sign of construction progress.
Planning this major milestone has taken months of preparation and teamwork between designers, engineers, contractors and stakeholders. The successful delivery of a project of this scale requires the combined efforts of many people working together.
The beam installation is a complex engineering operation requiring detailed planning, specialist equipment and close coordination. We are grateful to local communities and road users for their patience while this essential work is carried out.
To enable the lifts to be undertaken safely, overnight closures of the A9 will be required between the Tay Crossing and Kindallachan from Monday 30 November until the morning of Saturday 5 December, between 9pm and 5am each night. Road users will be able to pass through the works during amnesty periods between 11pm and midnight and between 2am and 3am, when lifting activities will stop.
Closure of the A9 is necessary because beams require to be placed over and adjacent to the live carriageway. Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times throughout the works.
Wills Bros Contractor's Representative, John Stephens, said:
This is one of the most complex lifting operations undertaken on the project to date.
A full road closure is required because it is not possible to safely lift and position beams of this size above live traffic. The works have been carefully planned and scheduled overnight, when traffic volumes are lower, to help minimise disruption.
The amnesty periods will provide opportunities for traffic to pass through the works area while enabling the beam installation to be completed efficiently and safely.