Forth Bridge to reopen January 4 15 | 12 | 2015

    THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE is expected to reopen — to the 70,000 vehicles that use it daily — on Monday, January 4. But bridge operator Amey has admitted the date is dependent on the weather. Work on the exposed area on the north-east tower cannot be carried out when wind speeds exceed 35mph.

    Work though to repair the crack which was discovered in a truss under the carriageway, is said to currently be on-track.

    Scaffolding has been erected around the northeast main tower leg and new steelwork has been lifted into place, as the repair work continues. Engineers are performing a "plate welded repair" around the broken truss, which will involve metal splints being attached to either side.

    And while crews working on the neighbouring Queensferry Crossing havehelped erect an elevated working platform around the damaged area, Amey has confirmed it is taking preventative action on another seven similar locations on the bridge to prevent issues from arising there, and installing structural monitoring systems.

    The cost of the repair work is estimated at around £2m.

    Amey is taking advantage of the month-long closure of the 50-year-old bridge to carry out additional maintenance, including line painting and decking work. By doing so, it will reduce the need for future closures and restrictions.

    Related: Forth Bridge closure costing hauliers £600,000 a day

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    Jim McGill

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