Reopening of major Kilmarnock bridge was delayed for final time but roadworks misery is now over for drivers

The reopening of one in every of Kilmarnock's busiest roads was delayed for a 3rd time earlier than it will definitely opened on Saturday night time.

The Victoria Bridge on Queen's Drive has undergone intensive work to increase its life by 50 years.

However the varied closures and momentary visitors lights that endured over the size of the challenge result in huge frustrations with drivers within the city.

Work began in January and was imagined to be accomplished by the top of April however a collection of points delayed the reopening a number of instances.

Ayrshire Roads Alliance introduced earlier this month that work could be delayed by an extra week to Friday, June 24 however even that deadline was missed.

Roadworks on the bridge in March (Picture: Kilmarnock Customary)

The street did totally reopen to visitors on Saturday night time, 24 hours later than promised.

East Ayrshire Council stated the most recent delay was right down to the subcontractor's availability and the moist climate.

A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council stated: "The Ayrshire Roads Alliance can verify that the opening was 24 hours later than anticipated. This was on account of subcontractor availability and moist climate impacting the works, which included important further concrete restore works.

"The challenge was by no means deliberate to finish in March, solely Section One of many works. The three phases of the works have been initially deliberate to finish on the finish of April.

The street was nonetheless closed on Saturday afternoon however was reopened later that night

"There have been numerous points that brought on the challenge to be delayed. When the bridge was being blasted again to reveal metallic, PCBs have been discovered within the blast waste, which meant a specialist contractor needed to be appointed to get rid of the waste and dealing practices for the portray contractor needed to be up to date. The varied providers inside the footway additionally slowed the contractor’s progress, with them having to undertake non-dig strategies of excavation.

"This was a big bridge refurbishment of a 50 12 months previous construction. The works are anticipated to increase the lifetime of the bridge construction by an extra 50 years.

"The street closures related to the Victoria Bridge Refurbishment challenge at the moment are full. The travelling public might discover footway diversions, that are required to finish excellent minor works however any inconvenience is anticipated to be minimal."

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