New £4.5m Burnshot Bridge set to open to traffic today

Travellers will get some welcome relief today when the new Burnshot Bridge opens for traffic.

The crossing over the A90 near Kirkliston took 11 months to construct following the demolition of the original 1964 span.

More than 200 engineers, designers and other staff from Edinburgh City Council and contractor Balfour Beatty have been involved in building the new crossing, which measures 33m wide and includes state-of-the-art stainless-steel reinforcement to maximise its lifespan, expected to be 120 years.

The bridge’s design also incorporates improved cycling and pedestrian facilities, designed with input from active travel groups, including a segregated eastbound cycle lane and a shared use path.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “I’m delighted that the brand new Burnshot Bridge will open to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists this week, and I know the local community will be just as pleased to see this important link restored.

“This has been an extremely complex project and it’s thanks to the very hard work of the many people involved in its completion that we’ll now be able to walk, wheel, cycle and drive on this key route again.”

The 1964 bridge was demolished in 2017 after being closed to traffic in 2016 following the discovery of deteriorating joints, leaving commuters from Kirkliston and South Queensferry with a travelheadache.

Along with construction projects across the country, work on the scheme was halted between March and June as part of the city’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

The bridge will open around midday on Wednesday and Balfour Beatty Contract Director, Keith MacDonald, said: “We are delighted that the complex construction works to rebuild the Burnshot Bridge in Kirkliston have now

reached completion, with works procured through the Scape National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure framework.

“It is testament to the team’s safety and expertise that more than 48,000 hours have been spent on site without any lost time to injury.”

Mr MacDonald added: “Having installed enhanced pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, we are confident that the bridge will improve the journeys for both motorists and active travellers for many years to come.”

The total cost of the project is £4,585,227, including demolition of the former bridge.

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