Issued: 13 December 2005
Montrose Bridge Officially Open
THE new Montrose Bridge was officially opened today (13 December 2005).
Angus Provost Bill Middleton unveiled a plaque to declare the £7.25m road bridge open and then cut a red ribbon signalling to traffic that the bridge was officially open.
Speaking following the opening Provost Middleton said: "Today's official opening marks the significant achievement of bringing this important project to completion on budget and on time.
"The three span bridge, constructed by contractors Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd, creates an attractive southern gateway to the town. It has already been well received by residents and visitors and will continue to be a well travelled route in the years to come."
Following the presentation of a bench located in the former Tollhouse area, Marshall Scott, managing director of the civil engineering division of Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Limited said: "Balfour Beatty is delighted to have continued it's long association with Angus Council as the contractor responsible for the design and construction of the new Montrose Bridge. This follows a previous contract to construct the Inner Relief Road completed in 1997.
"We hope that this new bridge, like the Inner Relief Road, will make a significant contribution to the lives of the citizens of Montrose and we are pleased to have been able to play a such a major part in bringing this contract to the successful conclusion we are celebrating today."
Commenting on the need to replace the bridge Angus Council's Infrastructure Services convener David Selfridge said: "The accelerated deterioration of the old 1930s concrete bridge made the construction of this new structure not only necessary but urgent. It is a credit to all concerned that a project of this scale has gone from discussion to reality in just five years."
Structural problems with the 1930s bridge were first identified in the mid-60s with alkali aggregate reaction in the concrete eventually diagnosed, a condition exacerbated by frost damage and chlorine attack. Successive councils monitored and maintained the bridge over the years but the regular maintenance regime of Angus Council identified an acceleration of the process in 2000. Surveys indicated that the bridge was approaching the end of its serviceable life and the council started planning for the replacement of the bridge within five years.
The council's early estimates of £6 -7m for construction costs were close to the mark with a £7.25m design and build contract finally awarded to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd in 2002. This contract has been brought in on budget and within schedule and combined with the early preparatory and procurement costs the total cost of delivering the new bridge amounts to £8.75m since 2000.