Project Details

Description

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to undertake a programme of maintenance and improvement works on the A985 Kincardine Bridge over the 2026/2027 financial year. This Record of Determination (RoD) has been produced to cover the following schemes assessed to be relevant projects:

  1. 50ft Span Deck Refurbishment and Vehicle Restraint System (VRS).
  • The project brief consists of concrete repairs and refurbishment of the bridge deck above the 50ft concrete span. It will include re-waterproofing, drainage improvements, resurfacing of the bridge deck, expansion joint replacement, VRS replacement, parapet and lighting refurbishment, and pilaster repairs.
  1. Expansion Joint Replacements.
  • The project brief is to carry out partial replacements of the expansion joints along the bridge deck. The works will likely be undertaken in phases.
  1. Northern Curved Steel Spans Refurbishment
  • The project brief is to undertaken steel work repairs at the northern extents of the bridge. The works will involve the removal and repair of gusset plates, blasting and repainting of edge girders across Span 31, Span 32 and Span 33. The works may also involve the improvements to the existing road drainage.
  1. Kincardine Bridge Portal Gate Works
  • The project brief is to carry out refurbishment of the existing pedestrian gates on the swing section of the bridge. Final design of this scheme is ongoing; however, it is likely that the pedestrian gates will be removed from the portals, refurbished, replaced and secured.
  1. Swing Span Deck Refurbishment and VRS
  • The project brief consists of concrete repairs and refurbishment of the bridge deck above the swing span. It will include re-waterproofing, drainage improvements, resurfacing of the bridge deck, expansion joint replacement, VRS replacement, parapet and lighting refurbishment, and pilaster repairs.
  1. Control Room and Engine Room Upgrades
  • The project brief is to carry out removal of high-risk asbestos from the Control Room and Engine Room at the middle of the Kincardine Bridge. In addition, remedial works will also include replacement of broken glass and restoration of various items.
  1. North Abutment Refurbishment
  • The project brief is to carry out refurbishment works to the north abutment that will include intrusive investigation and strengthening works.

For individual project details and construction activities refer to Annex B.

The works are programmed to be completed within the 2026/2027 financial year with the first project expected to begin in mid to late April. Most of the works will utilise a daytime working pattern, however some schemes may require nighttime working for certain elements.

The existing compound to the southeast of the bridge at Higgins Neuk Roundabout will be utilised for schemes at the southern extents of the bridge. Work is ongoing to establish a compound to the north of the bridge, which will be covered separately from this RoD.

Where traffic management (TM) is required, it may involve carriageway closures, single lane closure and footway closures.

Location

All proposed schemes lie on the A985 Kincardine Bridge, which spans the Firth of Forth, connecting Kincardine to Falkirk and Grangemouth (Figure 1.).