Project Details
Description
BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out resurfacing works on the A68 carriageway. The project brief is to undertake carriageway resurfacing to a maximum depth of 230mm. Road markings and studs will be reinstated to Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5, across a length of approx. 1.3km (1.07ha).
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,
- 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,
- HGV for removal and replacement of material,
- Road markings and studs applied where necessary, and
- Remove TM and open road.
The works are programmed to be completed within the 2026/2027 financial year with works expected to begin on 5th May 2026. Works will be undertaken over nine nights (19:30-06:00). TM is currently programmed to be in the form of a full nighttime road closure with a signed diversion. Traffic heading southbound will be diverted off the A68 north of Jedburgh and onto the A698, they will continue on this route before turn left onto the A6088 at Hawick, traffic will continue along the A6088 before reconnecting with the A68 just south of the scheme.
Location
The scheme lies on the A68 carriageway north of the Scotland / England Border, within Scottish Borders Council, and is surrounded by plantation woodland (Figure 1).