Commuter misery in store with bridge works

FORTH Road Bridge bosses have issued a fresh warning to expect major delays when a £3.65 million resurfacing project begins in April.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) is reminding the public that a project to resurface the northbound carriageway and install dehumidification equipment to fight the bridge's corrosion will begin on April 13. The weekend roadworks will be cancelled for Royal Highland Show weekend in June and throughout July and August, and have an estimated completion date of autumn this year.

Contractor Tarmac is expected to be confirmed as the firm carrying out the work at FETA's next board meeting on Friday.

Alastair Andrew, FETA general manager and bridgemaster, said every effort would be made to minimise disruption. "Due to the weight and volume of traffic now using the bridge, we need to resurface more often than in the past. Three years ago we replaced the southbound road surface. Now we're doing the same on the northbound carriageway," he said.