£12.9m deal to install first variable speed limits

Published on Friday 10 June 2011 16:12

A MULTI-MILLION-POUND contract has been awarded for the new Forth bridge project that will include Scotland's first speed limits that can be altered electronically to control traffic flow.

The 12.9 million job of creating an "intelligent transport system" has been awarded to Northern Ireland-based firm John Graham (Dromore).

The company will install the system on the Fife section of a 14-mile corridor, extending from the M9's junction one at Newbridge in Edinburgh to the M90's junction three at Halbeath.

Drivers using the new crossing will be among the most watched in Scotland, with cameras enforcing variable speed limits on the crossing and its approach roads.

The signs will be altered to reduce the speed limits to as low as 40mph on either side of the bridge to ease congestion.

The camera network will extend from Halbeath on the M90 to the north to the M9 spur to the south. Cutting speed limits when traffic is heavy, already used on many English motorways, is believed to give drivers more time to manoeuvre, such as where vehicles are joining from slip roads.

As well as helping to control the traffic, the planned system will provide motorists with minute-by-minute information through messages on signs.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: "This important traffic management system will assist with traffic congestion, providing road users with traffic, lane and mandatory speed control information, improving road safety and helping improve journey time reliability.

"It is also gratifying that the successful tender competition has resulted in a substantial saving on the anticipated cost of 15 million to 22 million, and provides excellent value for money for the public purse.

"This is the second of three major contracts to be awarded for the Forth Replacement Crossing scheme, which will not only safeguard our vital infrastructure link but is also essential for Scotland's continued sustainable economic growth."

The Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors consortium was named in April as the preferred bidder for the main contract to build the bridge.