Project Details

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to undertake a programme of maintenance and improvement works on the A985 Kincardine Bridge over the 2025/2026 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 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. 50ft Span Concrete Repairs
  • The project brief consists of concrete repairs in areas where deterioration has been identified, and the installation of a cathodic protection system to prevent future deterioration.
  1. 50ft Span Bearing Replacement
  • The project brief is to carry out replacement of the sliding bearings from the southern side of the Kincardine Bridge.
  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. 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. 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. Asbestos Removal
  • 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.

The works are programmed to be completed within the 2025/2026 financial year with the first project expected to begin in September, however this is dependent on the issue of the Marine Licence. All works are currently programmed to utilise a daytime working pattern, however depending on network access restrictions some night works may be required.

The compound used during the Southern Piled Viaduct works to the southeast of the bridge at Higgins Neuk Roundabout has currently been retained the impacts of which are subject to a Record of Determination which is in review. Providing this is approved by Transport Scotland it 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 (for individual schemes see Annex B).

Location

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