Queensferry Crossing traffic to be diverted for maintenance works

The Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth is to close for part of the weekend while works are carried out.

Thousands of overnight drivers using the M90 motorway will be diverted on to the Forth Road Bridge, which is normally only open to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

During the closures on Friday and Sunday nights, the overhead gantry signage at the central and south towers of the Queensferry Crossing will be replaced.

Road users have been warned to allow extra time for their journey.

Bear Scotland, which is carrying out the work for Transport Scotland, said it would also run a practice deployment of an automated diversion system for the bridges over the weekend.

The overhead gantry signage at the central and south towers of the Queensferry Crossing will be replaced on Friday and Sunday nights.

The M90 southbound carriageway will be closed between Junction 1B Ferrytoll and Junction 1A Queensferry from 22:00 on Friday to 07:00 on Saturday and again between 22:00 on Sunday and 05:00 on Monday.

Traffic will be diverted on to the A9000 Forth Road Bridge, exiting via Echline Junction and heading west on the A904 to rejoin the M90 at Junction 1A Queensferry.

Between 22:00 on Saturday and 08:00 on Sunday there will be a full practice deployment of the automated diversion system for motorway traffic.

Vehicles travelling in both directions on the M90 will be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge, the iconic suspension bridge was that fourth longest in the world when it opened in 1964.

While the Queensferry Crossing is closed, inspections and maintenance works will be carried out on the 1.7 mile-long (2.7km) cable stayed bridge.

These include refreshing white lines, replacing missing road studs, maintaining bollard lighting and removing old architectural lighting from the central tower.

David Bishop, from BEAR Scotland, said: "These overnight closures will allow us carry out essential maintenance works, inspections on the Queensferry Crossing and to test the automated diversion system to identify and address any issues so that it is ready to be used if required.

"It is important that road users comply with red X signs above the carriageway when these appear, as the diversion route cannot be opened until traffic on the motorway has stopped.

"If there are red X signs above all lanes, you must come to a stop."

Road users crossing the river at Queensferry during these works are encouraged to check the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date travel information.