A90 reopens after bats delay repairs to bridge struck by digger

Both southbound lanes of the A90 at Glencarse Overbridge have reopened.

The discovery of bats – a protected species – delayed works to fix the flyover for seven months after it was struck by a digger on March 28, 2023.

Temporary repairs have now been carried out and the inside lane reopened but there are still traffic lights on the bridge itself due to “significant” damage to the structure.

Work was finally allowed to start this month after NatureScot granted a protected species licence which allowed Amey to begin fixing the bridge subject to the terms and conditions of the licence. A more permanent solution will mean more traffic restrictions being put in place at a later stage.

An Amey spokesperson said: “The A90 at Glencarse Overbridge between Perth and Dundee is now fully open to traffic in both directions after temporary repairs were carried out on the damaged structure during specialist testing and investigation works.

“Although it has been possible to undertake temporary repairs while removing loose and damaged concrete, and subsequently fully reopen the A90, the primary deck element remains buckled and for safety reasons the single lane traffic lights will remain in place on the bridge flyover leading to St Madoes.

“The public should be aware that there will be a requirement to install further traffic management arrangements on the A90 at Glencarse Overbridge in future to allow permanent repair work to be undertaken. Amey will provide an update on when the repair work is ready to commence as soon as possible.”

The spokesperson said the tests and investigations carried out this month have revealed the full extent of the “significant damage to one of the steel primary deck elements and the concrete deck slab above” with the steel load bearing element “also badly deformed”.

Labour Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey expressed residents’ frustration at the traffic lights still in place on the A90 flyover connecting St Madoes to Glencarse.

Bailie Bailey said: “While it’s good news that the A90 is now fully reopened we must not forget that the bridge linking the communities of St Madoes and Glencarse still has traffic lights because it can’t take the full weight of two way traffic until fixed.

“I hear concerns from those communities every week about issues with the lights and about bad driver behaviour at the lights. Hopefully those works come soon and they don’t cause too much further delay on the main road.”

An extended 50mph speed limit was temporarily in place on both sides of the A90 at this section this month but the speed restrictions have now been removed.

An Amey spokesperson said: “The 50mph speed limit was in place as there was a need to replace the crossover barriers following the contraflow which was installed on the A90 to allow the inspection at Glencarse Overbridge. These signs have now been removed.”