Project Details

Description

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out vehicle restraint system improvement works on the M9 carriageway with works restricted to the central reserve. The project brief is to replace the existing barrier which is reaching its end of life and install double sided VRS of a higher containment along with replacement of the red chips. In addition, two existing emergency crossovers within the scheme extents will be extended into maintenance crossovers. The works are across a length of approx. 2.41km (0.8ha).

Construction activities for the works procedure are as follows:

  • Set up traffic management (TM) and mark out site,
  • Remove existing VRS and foundations,
  • Excavate, prepare and form foundations for VRS (installation will be either driven post, socketed with concrete foundation or surface mounded
  • Place, position and fix posts,
  • Place and fix components to posts,
  • Excavate soil and current red chip sections,
  • Remove soil and waste from site for disposal,
  • Line excavated area with geo-textile,
  • Fill with red stone chippings,
  • At cross over locations splayed kerbs will be removed, the central reserve will be excavated to a maximum depth of 620mm, a new pavement will be installed and stepped 75mm minimum into existing pavement. Once the road surface is finished a new barrier and end terminals will be installed,
  • Remove TM and open road.

The works are programmed to be completed within the 2026/2027 financial year with works expected to begin on 6th September 2026. Works will be undertaken over three weeks operating during night time hours (20:30-05:30). TM will consist of a two lane closure on one side with the hard shoulder running and a single lane closure on the opposite carriageway with lane two running.

Location

The scheme lies on the M9 carriageway between Junctions 4 and 5 north of Polmont within the Falkirk Council local authority area and is predominantly surrounding by residential areas, agricultural land and Grangemouth golf course (Figure 1).