Project Details

Description

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out resurfacing works on the A68 carriageway. The works will involve resurfacing works to a series of inlays ranging from 110mm to 300mm. The works will involve the reinstatement of road markings and studs for a length of 1302m (1.1ha).

The construction activities for the resurfacing procedure are as follows:

• Set up traffic management (TM) and mark out site.
• Milling of existing bituminous material by road planer.
• Jackhammer and compressor for breaking up surfaces not accessible by planer (e.g. around gullies).
• Loader/excavator used to collect and move excess material.
• Sweeper to collect loose material and provide clean laying surface.
• Milled out/excavated materials all taken off site.
• Tack/bond coat laid.
• Base / binder material laid and compressed by paver (where required).
• Material compacted using a heavy roller.
• New bituminous surface course material laid by paver.
• Material compacted using a heavy roller.
• Mechanical sweeper to collect loose material.
• Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) for removal and replacement of material.
• Road markings and studs applied where necessary (in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 5).
• Remove TM and open road.

The works are currently programmed to be completed within the 2026 / 2027 financial year, with works due to commence on 17^th August 2026 for a duration of 10 nights with no works being undertaken on Saturdays or Sundays. TM will involve a full nighttime road closure with a signed diversion. Traffic will be diverted onto the A697 at Carfraemill Roundabout towards Gordon, following onto the A6038, the A6015 and rejoining the A68 at Earlston.

Location

The scheme lies on the A68, east of Nether Blainslie, within the boundary of the Scottish Borders Council and is predominantly bordered by agricultural land (Figure 1).