A NEW viaduct at the Kincardine Bridge is set to open to traffic for the first time on Monday, November 18.

It has been constructed to replace an 80-metre section of the crossing as part of the £16.85 million works that started in May last year.

But the next stage will see the Kincardine Bridge closed for a weekend next month.

A piled viaduct at the southern end - assessed by civil engineers as substandard in design - has now been demolished and replaced with a new reinforced concrete structure.

The new viaduct is similar in appearance to adjacent spans on the original bridge, with lamp posts and parapets from the demolished viaduct to be reinstated on the new structure.

An impressive engineering feat, a temporary bridge running alongside the original structure has allowed traffic, pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the 88-year-old crossing over the past year.

The Kincardine Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic in both directions from 8pm on Friday, November 15 until 6am on Monday, November 18. This will allow the trunk road to be connected to the new structure.

Traffic will then be directed over the new viaduct for the first time.

A diversion route will be signposted between Higgins Neuk Roundabout and the A985 east of Kincardine, via the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge and the A977.

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If the works are delayed, the closure will take place on the following weekend of 22 to 25 November instead.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The replacement of the southern piled viaduct will help to ensure the Kincardine Bridge’s long-term availability for service as a key trunk route.

“Balfour Beatty have made excellent progress and are now ready to disconnect the temporary bridge and tie in the A985 to the new structure. After this, traffic will run on the new viaduct permanently.

“A full weekend closure of the bridge is essential to allow these works to be completed safely. If you need to use this route on the weekend of 15 to 18 November, our advice is to plan ahead and allow some extra time for your journey.

“We’re grateful to road users and local residents for their understanding.”

Works on site to remove the temporary bridge, complete the new viaduct and reinstate the site are expected to continue until spring next year.