Significant works set for Charleston Junction
Major traffic management measures are expected to be in place on the A90 over the next month when 14 beams and bridge parapets will be installed as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project.
It is anticipated that the beams, 47m long and weighing 85 tonnes each, will be delivered and installed over three weekends: Friday 24 March to Monday 27 March, Friday 31 March to Monday 3 April and Friday 7 April to Monday 10 April.
It is also planned for the bridge parapets (sides of the bridge) to be delivered and installed overnight between Monday 10 April and Friday 14 April. The bridge parapets will be fitted into place at either side of the new structure, providing a base from which bridge barriers can be constructed.
Additional traffic management measures, including A90 road closures and contraflows, are necessary to enhance the safety of road workers and road users.
Friday 24 March – Monday 27 March
From 8pm on Friday 24 March until 8pm on Saturday 25 March, a contraflow is planned to be in place on the A90 northbound carriageway. The southbound carriageway will be closed but the southbound slip roads will remain open. This will enable the crane to be set up before the bridge beam lifts.
The A90 is then expected to be completely closed on Saturday 25 March from 8pm until 6am on Sunday 26 March to allow the beam lifts to take place safely. Diversions via the slip roads will be in place during this closure. From 6am on Sunday 26 March until 6am Monday 27 March, the A90 is planned to partially reopen with a contraflow in place on the northbound carriageway. This will enable the crane to be dismantled.
Friday 31 March – Monday 3 April
From 8pm on Friday 31 March until 8pm on Saturday 1 April, a contraflow is planned to be in place on the A90 northbound carriageway. The southbound carriageway will be closed but the southbound slip roads will remain open. This will enable a crane to be set up before the bridge beam lifts.
The A90 is expected to be closed on Saturday 1 April from 8pm until 6am on Sunday 2 April to allow the beam lifts to take place safely. Diversions via the slip roads will be in place during this closure. From 6am on Sunday 2 April until 6am on Monday 3 April, the A90 is planned to partially reopen with a contraflow in place on the northbound carriageway. This will enable the crane to be dismantled.
Friday 7 April – Monday 10 April
From 8pm on Friday 7 April until 8pm on Saturday 8 April, a contraflow is planned to be in place on the A90 southbound carriageway. The northbound carriageway will be closed but the northbound slip roads will remain open. This will enable a crane to be set up before the bridge beam lifts.
The A90 is expected to be completely closed on Saturday 8 April from 8pm until 6am on Sunday 9 April to allow the beam lifts to take place safely. Diversions via the slip roads will be in place during this closure. From 6am to 8pm on Sunday 9 April a contraflow is planned to be in place on the A90 southbound carriageway. This is to allow the crane to be repositioned.
Both carriageways of the A90 are expected to be closed from 8pm on Sunday 9 April to 6am on Monday 10 April to allow a final beam lift to take place and the crane to be dismantled. The slip roads will remain open for diversions.
Monday 10 April to Thursday 13 April
Between 8pm and 6am, Monday 10 April to Thursday 13 April, contraflows are planned to be in place on either the A90 northbound carriageway or southbound carriageways to allow works to complete the bridge parapets as outlined above. All slip roads will be available during these contraflows.
A90 Diversions
During periods of full closure, road users travelling north should exit the A90 using the Charleston offslip road which will also allow them to re-join the A90 via the onslip road and head north. Road users travelling south, should exit the A90 using the southbound offslip road, travel along the A956 Wellington Road, turn at the roundabout and re-join Wellington Road to head south. They can then join the A90 using the southbound onslip road.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said:
“The contractor has been working closely with Police Scotland and the local authorities to ensure that anyone who needs to use this key junction at Charleston can continue their journey, while enhancing the safety of road users and road workers.
“These works have been timed to minimise the impact they may have on road users. However, we would like to encourage road users who need to travel through or nearby this area to plan their journeys in advance. They should also consider using an alternative route and giving themselves additional travelling time so that they can reach their destination safely and on time.
“We would like to thank road users and the local community for their on-going support and patience during the construction works.”
The beams will be delivered to Charleston each Saturday morning around 9.30am under police escort. Beam deliveries are integral to the project, which will have 75 principal structures, including two river crossings, one railway bridge, and over 70 culverts.
When complete, the AWPR/B-T will help to reduce congestion, cut journey times, improve safety and lower pollution in Aberdeen City Centre. It will also enable local authorities to develop public transport solutions.
Over the next three decades, the AWPR/B-T is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs. Around 1,500 people are currently working on the project, including on-the-job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities for long-term unemployed people.