FIFE
COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
18.02.02
AGENDA ITEM NO
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
BRIDGE ASSESSMENT AND STRENGTHENING PROGRAMME
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report updates the Committee on the assessment and strengthening
programme for Council and privately-owned bridges and identifies the
measures which are being taken in the interests of public safety.
2
BACKGROUND
2.1 All Council-owned bridges have been assessed and appropriate safety
measures are being implemented on those identified as being weak. Of the
338 Council bridges, the failure rate is as follows: Passes
 Main Structure Failures
 Edge (Footway) Failures
257 (76%)
55 (16%)
26 (8%)
The overall failure rate of 24% is similar to the overall failure rate so far in
Scotland, although only around 85% of all Scottish Council bridges have so
far been assessed.
2.2 Three privately-owned bridges have also been assessed. Two of these have
passed but one has failed and safety measures have been installed.
3
ASSESSMENT PROGRESS
3.1 Progress on the assessment of the 40 bridges owned by Railtrack and 18
bridges owned by British Railways Board (BRB) in Fife has so far been slow
because of other work priorities for Transportation Services engineers. Only
around 50% of private railway bridges have been assessed so far in
Scotland. The Strategic Rail Authority, via Railtrack, is now expressing
concern about the slow progress on railway bridge assessments in Scotland
and the safety implications this might have.
3.2 To date, 9 Railtrack bridges have been assessed and reports have been
submitted to them for approval. A further 7 assessments are in draft form,
awaiting checking. Precautionary weight restrictions have also been imposed
on 2 other Railtrack bridges in advance of the formal calculations being
completed in order to ensure public safety.
3.3 One BRB bridge has had its assessment completed. This bridge has been
strengthened and is now in Council ownership. One other has had a
precautionary weight restriction imposed on it, and several BRB bridges are
being regularly monitored for signs of cracking or bending.
3.4 Structures which have had or require restrictions imposed on them are listed
in Appendix A, together with the costs of temporary and permanent
measures. Locations are shown on the plan in Annex 1.
4
TEMPORARY SAFETY MEASURES
4.1 Since the last report to Committee on 7 August 2000 the following progress
on protection of weak bridges has been made.
4.2 Roxburgh Road South Underpass and Formonthills Road East and West
Underpasses were all reassessed using the latest analysis techniques and
passed their assessments. Formonthills West Underpass was
subsequently infilled because it had become a haven for vandals etc and
was little used by pedestrians.
4.3 C126 Woodside Road Underpass, Glenrothes, has been temporarily
propped. A917 Kilrenny Burn Bridge has also been propped to remove the
weight limit but remains restricted to a single lane controlled by traffic signals.
Both bridges have also had measures installed to protect their weak
footways.
4.4 33 tonnes weight restrictions have been imposed on West Nethertown
Street Culvert, Dunfermline, B981 Den Burn Bridge, Cardenden and C8
Woodburn St Annes Bridge, Ceres.
4.5 7.5 tonnes weight restrictions have been imposed on Bridge Street Bridge,
Newport and on Old Station Road Bridge, St Andrews. Old Station
Road Bridge, which belongs to the St Andrews Links Trust, has also had
bollards installed to protect the weak footway.
4.6 Promenade Bridge, Leven has been reduced to single lane traffic controlled
by priority signing.
4.7 Lammerlaws Road Railway Bridge, Burntisland, which belongs to
Railtrack, has had a 17 tonnes weight restriction imposed on it as a
precautionary measure because of its poor condition. The formal
assessment is currently underway.
4.8 B9097 Bogside Railway Bridge, Ballingry has had safety kerbing installed
to protect the weak verges. Safety kerbing and pedestrian guardrails have
also been erected on A90 Dunfermline Wynd Bridge, Inverkeithing and on
C88 Kingseat Road Railway Bridge, Dunfermline.
4.9 Bollards have been installed on South Bridge, Cupar and Carberry Road
Bridge, Leven to protect the weak footways.
4.10 Strengthening of a 10 metre long section of A917 Golf Hotel Culvert is to be
carried out by a developer of the disused garage site adjacent, where
sheltered housing is to be built. The remaining length of footway will be
protected by bollards.
4.11 Consultations and design work on other temporary safety measures are
continuing as quickly as possible within the staff resources available to
Transportation Services. Meantime, weak bridges without safety measures
are being regularly monitored.
5
BRIDGE STRENGTHENING
5.1 Since the last report to Committee the following progress has been made.
5.2 The carriageway section of C29 Burnside Bridge, Cupar has been
strengthened and a revised road layout installed to improve traffic flows. The
section under the footway has been protected by bollards.
5.3 B925 Victoria Road (Harbour Railway) Bridge, Kirkcaldy has been
strengthened by the construction of a central pier in the disused railway
cutting below.
5.4 A major contract is underway to replace the A921 Aberdour Railway
Bridge, and is scheduled for completion in Summer 2002. Traffic calming
will also be introduced prior to the weight limit being rescinded.
5.5 A contract to widen the B9157 West Bridge, Kirkcaldy, to allow road
realignment clear of the weak section which carries public utilities, has been
completed.
5.6 The carriageway section of the Q56 Gateside Station Bridge, whose
ownership was transferred from BRB to the Council, has been strengthened,
and the verges protected by safety kerbing.
5.7 The condition of the steelwork on the B981 Broad Street Railway Bridge,
Cowdenbeath was found following more detailed inspection to be in much
worse condition than originally thought. Urgent repairs have been carried
out during overnight railway possessions to ensure public safety, and
investigations are now ongoing into the possibility of reducing the road to a
single lane controlled by traffic lights. This bridge is substandard in several
respects and its condition is such that replacement may be the only sensible
option. The cost of this would be subject to a full feasibility study but a figure
of around £3 million is anticipated.
5.8 The condition of B915 Balmule Bridge, Dunfermline is deteriorating and
causing concern, even though it is restricted to a single lane with a 7.5 tonnes
weight restriction. A feasibility study is being carried out into the most
advantageous strengthening or replacement solution. Monitoring is ongoing.
5.9 According to the latest SCOTS survey, the average number of bridges
strengthened by each Council in Scotland up to 31 March 2001 was 28 (41%
of weak bridges) whereas Fife Council has only strengthened 12 (15% of
weak bridges). The number of bridges strengthened depends on the
availability of funds and the size and type of weak bridges, but it is clear that
continuing and improved priority needs to be given by the Council to bridge
strengthening and replacement.
6
B981 DEN BRIDGE, CLUNY
6.1 Den Bridge carries the B981 over the Den Burn between Cluny and
Cardenden. It comprises a 1.6 metre span masonry arch and wingwalls with
low masonry parapets.
6.2 Both wingwalls have bulged extensively and in the past this has resulted in
dislodgement and collapse of part of the south wall. This wall has been
supported by timber shoring since 1984. The masonry forming the arch is
also in poor condition and temporary repairs at each end are imminent in
order to prevent collapse. At the same time, the north wall is to be propped
with a gabion wall to stop further movement.
6.3 Schemes to upgrade this section of road and replace the bridge have been
discounted due to the lack of funding. However the safety risk assessment
associated with this bridge is relatively high because:



the condition of the arch and wingwalls is deteriorating rapidly,
the parapets would not contain vehicles in the event of an accident,
the arch is of inadequate size, which leads to flooding,
the bridge has no footway.
6.4 Options
Two options for construction of a replacement bridge have been considered:1
Replace bridge with a proprietary steel culvert extending beyond the
existing structure to allow provision of verges on each side. The
estimated cost with a road closure in force for approximately 8 weeks is
£230,000. Traffic, including bus services, would need to use
inconvenient diversion routes.
2
Replace bridge with a culvert as Option 1 but without a road closure.
This option would require construction of a diversion route over the burn
to allow construction of the culvert while maintaining single lane traffic
flows. The estimated cost is £320,000.
Due to the dilapidated state of the structure no options to further support or
strengthen it are deemed feasible.
6.5 Option 1 is the preferred solution. The road closure would allow unrestricted
working and avoid the need for expensive temporary bridging etc, as well as
shortening the overall construction period from 6 months to 4 months. Single
lane traffic flows controlled by traffic lights would still be necessary in either
scenario, outwith any road closure period. This would be subject to detailed
consultation.
7
FINANCE
7.1 It is anticipated that approximately £55,000 will be spent on safety measures
for all structures from the 2001/2002 bridge and retaining wall revenue
budget of £356,000. Funds not allocated for temporary measures will be
used for essential routine maintenance work.
7.2 The estimated capital cost of strengthening or replacing all remaining weak
Council bridges is now £17.2 million, including £2.0 million on Aberdour
Railway Bridge. The expenditure requirement is likely to rise in future as
weaknesses with Railtrack and BRB railway bridges are identified.
8
RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 It is recommended that the Committee:(i)
notes the progress being made on the assessment of bridges and the
installation of temporary safety measures;
(ii)
notes the adverse impact that temporary measures are having on the
2001/02 revenue budget;
(iii)
recognise the need for continuing substantial capital investment in
bridge strengthening and replacement works;
(iv)
approves the promotion of a replacement bridge at Den Bridge, Cluny
and that funding be given full consideration in future capital plans.
Fife House
North Street
GLENROTHES
Author: Alan Ewen
Engineering Services Team Leader
12 FEBRUARY 2002
AE/FD-1/R01002.12.03
Dr Bob McLellan
HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION
APPENDIX A
Page 1 of 5
WEIGHT LIMITING RESTRICTIONS ON STRUCTURES
REVENUE AND CAPITAL COSTS
DECEMBER 2001
Structure
Weight Limit
(Tonnes)
Other Temporary
Measures
1
B9130 Old Thornton Railway
33
None
2
A917 Kilrenny Burn
None
3
B9131 Stravithie Mill
4
Revenue –
Temporary
Installation
Costs
(£ Est)
Revenue Inspection
and
Maintenance
Costs (£ Est)
per annum
Permanent
Measures Required
2,500
150
Traffic Signals
Propping and Edge
Restraint
71,000
3,000
None
Traffic Signals
13,800
C9 Lower Largo
17
None
5
B940 Tarvit, Cupar
17
None
6
B915 Balmule
7.5
7
A909 Bridge Street, Cowdenbeath
8
Outstanding
Capital
Costs
(£ Est)
April 2001
Onwards
Strengthen
200,000
Replacement
450,000
350
Strengthen
200,000
8,000
150
Strengthen
260,000
1,200
150
Partial Replacement
220,000
Traffic Signals
30,000
600
Replacement
220,000
None
Edge Restraint
5,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
A921 Aberdour Railway
17
Edge Restraint
9,000
150
Replacement
9
C45 Dairsie
10
None
-
150
None (Historic Bridge)
-
10
B981 Bow Bridge, Auchterderran
None
Edge Restraint
900
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
80,000
11
A907 Lyne Burn, Dunfermline
None
Propping
4,200
2,500
Replacement
750,000
12
B9157 West Bridge, Kirkcaldy
None
Propping
40,000
7,000
Replacement
135,000
13
A907 William Street, Dunfermline
10
None
2,600
150
Replacement
500,000
14
A994 Crossford
None
Edge Restraint
800
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
15
A994 Conscience
25
Edge Restraint
5,000
150
Replace/Strengthen
£194,000
£14,950
Carried Forward
80,000
2,017,000
30,000
250,000
£5,392,000
Page 2 of 5
Structure
Weight Limit
(Tonnes)
Other Temporary
Measures
Brought Forward
Revenue Temporary
Installation
Costs
( Est)
Revenue Inspection
and
Maintenance
Costs ( Est) per
annum
194,000
14,950
Permanent
Measures Required
5,392,000
16
A907 Carnock
None
Traffic Signals
30,000
350
Replace/Strengthen
17
A917 Cambo, Kingsbarns
None
Propping
19,000
2,500
Replace/Strengthen
18
A915 Lundin Mill, Lundin Links
None
Edge Restraint
3,800
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
19
A911 Lothrie Burn, Glenrothes
None
Edge Restraint
23,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
20
A915 Prior Letham Smithy
None
Traffic Signals
17,000
350
Partial Replacement
21
B922 Cluny
None
Edge Restraint
6,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
22
A90 Ferrytoll Underpass (South)
None
Edge Restraint
8,800
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
23
A90 Ferrytoll Underpass (North)
None
Edge Restraint
8,800
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
24
A921 Tiel Burn, Kirkcaldy
None
Edge Restraint
5,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
25
A916 Kennoway Burn
None
Edge Restraint
2,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
26
B981 River Ore, Cardenden
None
Edge Restraint
2,800
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
27
B981 Den Burn, Cardenden
33
Edge Restraint
8,200
150
Strengthen
28
B9156 W Netherton St, Dunfermline
33
None
4,400
150
Strengthen
29
A955 Scoonie Railway, Leven
None
None (Re-assessed)
5,000
-
30
A91 New Bridge, Guardbridge
None
Remove Surfacing
Edge Restraint
N/A – Capital
Budget
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
31
A919 Motray Water, Guardbridge
None
Edge Restraint
14,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
32
A917 Shore Bridge, St Andrews
None
Traffic Signals
5,000
-
Strengthened May 2000
33
B9037 Shiresmill
None
Edge Restraint
7,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
£364,800
£20,100
Carried forward
Outstanding
Capital
Costs
(£ Est)
April 2001
Onwards
-
250,000
400,000
100,000
150,000
120,000
100,000
150,000
150,000
100,000
80,000
80,000
150,000
200,000
-
370,000
130,000
Complete
100,000
£8,022,000
Page 3 of 5
Structure
Weight Limit
(Tonnes)
Other Temporary
Measures
Brought Forward
Revenue –
Temporary
Installation
Costs
(£ Est)
Revenue Inspection
and
Maintenance
Costs (£ Est)
per annum
Permanent Measures
Required
Outstanding
Capital
Costs
(£ Est)
April 2001
onwards
364,800
20,100
8,022,000
3,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
22,000
150
Replace
1,500,000
34
B9037 Grange Burn, Blairhall
None
Edge Restraint
35
A955 Leven Railway Bridge
17
Edge Restraint &
Resurfacing
36
Craig Street, Rosyth
7.5
Edge Restraint
2,600
150
Replace
100,000
37
Harley Street, Rosyth
17
Edge Restraint
2,800
150
Replace
100,000
38
Middlebank Street, Rosyth
None
Strengthening Slab
Edge Restraint
-
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
39
Park Road, Rosyth
7.5
Lane Restriction
5,300
150
Replace
100,000
40
Anderson Avenue, Crossford
3
Lane Restriction
2,500
150
Replace
100,000
41
Dean Drive, Crossford
7.5
None
500
150
Replace
100,000
42
Walk Bridge, Cairneyhill
None
Monitor Only
-
150
Strengthen
43
A917 Golf Hotel, Crail
None
Edge Restraint
10,000
150
Replacement
150,000
44
B9130 River Ore, Thornton
None
Carriageway Narrowing
10,400
150
Partial Replacement
300,000
45
B981 Bellevue, Inverkeithing
17
None
1,900
150
Strengthen
100,000
46
B912 Wester Whitefield Rly, Dunfermline
None
None
-
150
Infill
47
C57 Eden, Freuchie
7.5
None
2,600
150
Strengthen
48
K8 River Leven, Glenrothes
None
None (Reassessed)
-
-
49
K16 Balgonie, Milton
7.5
None
1,600
150
Strengthen
150,000
50
Croft, Auchtermuchty
3
None
700
150
Replace
140,000
Totals to Date
£431,200
£22,500
-
100,000
75,000
80,000
Complete
80,000
-
£11,197,000
Page 4 of 5
Structure
Weight Limit
(Tonnes)
Other Temporary
Measures
Brought Forward
Revenue –
Temporary
Installation
Costs
(£ Est)
Revenue Inspection
and
Maintenance
Costs (£ Est)
per annum
Permanent Measures
Required
431,200
22,500
Outstanding
Capital
Costs
(£ Est)
April 2001
Onwards
11,197,000
51
Greenside Place, St Andrews
17
None
1,400
150
Strengthen
100,000
52
B9097 Bogside Railway, Ballingry
None
Edge Restraint
2,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
100,000
53
C88 Kingseat, Dunfermline
None
Edge Restraint
3,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
80,000
54
South Bridge, Cupar
None
Edge Restraint
5,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
200,000
55
Ogilvie Street, Tayport
None
Edge Restraint
2,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
80,000
56
A913 Parbroath Railway
17
None
4,000
150
To be assessed
57
Q56 Gateside Station
17
None
5,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
58
Carberry Road, Leven
3
Edge Restraint
4,200
150
Replacement
59
Scoonie Drive, Leven
None
Edge Restraint
1,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
30,000
60
Woodburn Place, St Andrews
None
C/Way Narrowing
6,000
150
Partial Replacement
80,000
61
C128 Cabbagehall Bridge, Glenrothes
None
Traffic Signals
29,000
600
Partial Strengthening
120,000
62
B981 Broad St Railway Bridge,
Cowdenbeath
None
C/way Narrowing &
Traffic Signals
50,000
600
Replace
3,000,000
-
150
Strengthened
Complete
63
B925 Victoria Rd. Harbour Railway Bridge
None
8,800
2,500
Replacement
100,000
64
Maitland Street, Leven
None
Propping
2,500
150
65
Skinner Steps, Cupar
None
Edge Restraint
-
-
-
-
66
Formonthill Road (East), Glenrothes
None
None (Re-assessed)
-
-
-
-
67
Formonthill Road (West), Glenrothes
None
None (Re-assessed)
36,400
2,500
68
C126 Woodside Rd. Underpass, Glenrothes
None
Propping & Edge
Restraint
3,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
69
B9130 Lochty Burn, Thornton
None
Edge Restraint
5,200
150
Replacement by owner
70
Old Station Road Bridge, St Andrews
7.5
Edge Restraint
Totals to Date
£601,700
£30,800
Strengthen Deck Edges
Replacement
80,000
100,000
60,000
250,000
60,000
-
£15,737,000
Page 5 of 5
Structure
Weight Limit
(Tonnes)
Other Temporary
Measures
Brought Forward
Revenue –
Temporary
Installation
Costs
(£ Est)
Revenue Inspection
and
Maintenance
Costs (£ Est)
per annum
Permanent Measures
Required
601,700
30,800
Outstanding
Capital
Costs
(£ Est)
April 2001
Onwards
15,737,000
71
C127 Golf Course Road Underpass,
Glenrothes
None
Monitor
-
150
72
Roxburgh Rd. South Underpass, Glenrothes
None
None (Re-assessed)
-
-
73
Dunfermline Wynd Overbridge, Inverkeithing
None
Edge Restraint
32,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
250,000
74
Blairmore Road Underpass, Kirkcaldy
17
None
2,000
150
Strengthen
100,000
75
Bridge Street, Newport
7.5
None
2,500
150
Strengthen
100,000
76
Stenton Road Underpass, Glenrothes
33
None
1,000
150
Strengthen
100,000
77
Auchtermuchty Crossroads Bridge
None
Edge Restraint
2,000
150
Strengthen Deck Edge
78
Lammerlaws Road, Burntisland
17
None
2,000
150
To be assessed
-
79
B9037 Gilanderson, Torryburn
25
None
2,000
150
To be assessed
-
80
C68 Hawkhill, Kincardine
25
None
-
150
To be assessed
-
81
C29 Burnside, Cupar
None
Monitor
-
150
Strengthen
160,000
82
C63 Eden, Strathmiglo
33
None
2,100
150
Strengthen
60,000
83
Promenade, Leven
None
Carriageway Narrowing
8,500
150
Strengthen
100,000
84
Burnbank Place, Kinglassie
None
Edge restraint
2,500
150
Strengthen Deck Edges
100,000
85
C8 Woodburn St Annes, Ceres
33
None
2,300
150
Strengthen
100,000
86
B981 Den Burn, Cluny
None
Propping
Totals to Date
15,100
£676,200
1,000
£33,900
Strengthen
-
Replace
100,000
-
30,000
230,000
£17,167,000