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Update: Pier Protection Upgrades for A1 Bridges

A1 in East Lothian
9th of January 2023, 8:30pm to 31st of March 2023, 6:00am

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Phase 1 of the 16 week project to upgrade safety barriers protecting the piers of five bridges spanning the A1 is being extended by one night.

This phase, focusing on Ayton Castle overbridge started on 9 Jan with overnight closures of the A1 starting on 22 January 2023. An additional night is required to complete this element of the project.

Tonight (24th January) and tomorrow night (25th January) there will be temporary traffic lights in both directions on the A1 from 20:30 until 06:00.


Phase 2 – Johnny Cope’s Road and Dolphingstone overbridges will therefore start tomorrow night, 25 January 2023:


Phase 2 – Johnny Cope’s Road and Dolphingstone overbridges:

From 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 24 January to 3 March, the A1 will be restricted to a single lane in both directions between Dolphingstone Junction and Bankton Junction.
This stretch of the A1 will then be fully closed in both directions from 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 7 to 9 February and 12 to 14 February, with a signed diversion route in place through Tranent via Church St and the A199 Edinburgh Road. This diversion will add an estimated 2.4 miles and 5 minutes to affected journeys.


Phase 3 – Salters Road and Carberry Road overbridges:

From 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 5 March to 31 March, the A1 will be restricted to a single lane in both directions between Old Craighall Junction and Wallyford Junction.
This stretch of the A1 will then be fully closed in both directions from 20:30 until 06:00 each night from 20 to 22 March, with a signed diversion route in place via the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass, Millerhill Junction, the A68 and the A6094 Salters Road. This diversion will add an estimated 4.2 miles and 7 minutes to affected journeys.
Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “These pier protection upgrades are required to safeguard road users and maintain the integrity of the overbridges on this stretch of the A1.

“The works will bring the barriers up to modern standards and increase road safety. 

“Lane and road closures are essential for the safety of road users and our operatives, however we’ve arranged for the works to take place overnight to minimise the impact.

“We thank the travelling public in advance for their patience and understanding.”

Consultation has taken place in advance of these works with all relevant stakeholders including local authorities and Police Scotland.

How to get the latest travel and traffic information

For full information on roadworks on trunk roads in the north-west and south-east of Scotland, visit the Bear Scotland website.

You can report a defect on the network by filling out this form.

Follow Bear Scotland on Twitter at @bear_scotland and at @SETrunkRoads.