The road will be fully re-opened to traffic from 10.00 on Monday December 4. This will allow Network Rail to progress work on the car park area of the new Leven station.
The road diversion that has taken vehicles across the temporary road bridge and onto the existing road network via the new roundabout at South Street (B932) will close and the bridge over the river will be removed.
Sitting above the new Leven station car park, the A955 road bridge was completely rebuilt as the original structure showed significant signs of chlorine contamination and corrosion. The reconstruction of the bridge removed a long-term weight-restriction from the carriageway.
The replacement bridge was funded by Fife Council and delivered as part the wider railway work programme. Carrying out the work ahead of the railway opening reduced cost and delivered more efficiently.
Sean Clemie, project manager for bridge works, said: “The completion of work on the Bawbee bridge fully reopening the road is an important step-forward for the project and the local community.
“Throughout the work, we have had significant interest from the community and many people have followed its progress and turned out to watch key construction events such as the demolition and craning-in of the beams and parapets.
“The rail work now focuses on progressing the car park for the new Leven Station – with the first step being to remove the temporary diversion route and temporary road bridge.”
Councillor Colin Davidson, of Fife Council's Levenmouth Area Committee, said: “It’s been great to watch the work to replace the bridge progress so well. And it’s great that we are now in a position where we can confirm that the road will reopen at the start of December.
“The replacement structure improves our local road network and removes the need for a weight restriction on the bridge.
“We appreciate the patience shown by local residents and the business community throughout this project and I’d like to thank Fife Council transportation staff for their support during this difficult and complex project.”
Background
The A955 road bridge sits above the site of the new Leven station and was delivered as part of the wider programme of railway works.
The temporary road bridge supported 18,000 vehicle movements per day during work to demolish the old Bawbee bridge.
The Bawbee bridge was demolished in May 2023.
Work since the summer has been to enable utilities – electricity, gas, water, telecoms, fibre etc - to be reconnected across the structure.
Further work is planned for early in the new year to develop and enhance active travel networks in the area which will require traffic management on the bridge. Details will be shared once finalised.