Bridge inspections will lead to traffic disruption
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Specialist access equipment will be allowing Aberdeenshire Council to get a unique perspective on some of the area’s bridges as part of a series of inspections next week.
The authority’s bridge maintenance team will be using an underbridge unit to allow them to get a close view of the underside of the structures – essential work that would otherwise be very difficult or almost impossible to do.
The unit has a secure platform that will allow team members to be safely lowered over the side of the bridges so that detailed condition inspections can take place.
Over the coming week, the team will inspect six bridges, including in Banff and Huntly.
To allow this work to take place safely, traffic lights or short closures will be in operation on Monday at Banff Bridge where traffic lights will be in operation from 9.30am-3.30pm.
In Huntly on Tuesday the work will take place at the A97 Bogie Bridge with traffic lights in operation from 9am-11.30am and at the C129s Gibston Bridge, which will be closed from 12.30pm-3pm.
Infrastructure services committee chairman councillor Peter Argyle said: “It can be very tricky to do much more than a visual inspection of some of our bridges due to their height or location.
“This specialist unit will allow the team to get the access they need to conduct a full inspection of the structures, allowing them to determine if any maintenance or repairs are required and helping us to take early action if required.”
Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained where possible and diversion routes will be in place where applicable.
Committee vice-chairman councillor John Cox said: “It is important for us to regularly monitor our bridges network as many of them have been serving communities for decades or even hundreds of years.
“By proactively assessing their condition we can work to ensure they continue to serve motorists and pedestrians for years to come.
"The work has been planned to minimise disruption and we would thank everybody in advance for their patience.”
