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Thursday, 10th December 2009

Bridge to get windshields

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Published Date: 25 April 2009
WINDSHIELDS are set to be installed on the Forth Road Bridge to reduce the risk of vehicles being blown over in strong winds.
The Forth Estuary Transport Authority plans to install the £2 million transparent shields close to the two towers. They are expected to be in place within three years, if Edinburgh and Fife councils grant planning permission.

Two lorries overturned near the south tower within six weeks last year, leading to long tailbacks.

The shields would be 14ft high and cover 140ft of the carriageway close to the towers, where the risk of sudden gusts is strongest.

Similar shielding was installed 20 years ago on the Severn Bridge, over the Bristol Channel.

The replacement Forth crossing is set to have full windshielding.





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  • Last Updated: 25 April 2009 9:19 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Forth Bridges
 
1

Andrew,

25/04/2009 19:32:56
A tunnel would be an even better "WINDSHIELD"!!
2

Ian down under,

Musselburgh 26/04/2009 22:39:06
Just a thought. If these shields are big enough to stop lorries blowing over then they must be taking a fair bit of force themselves. Was this additional force calculated into the original design and are we heading for a 'Galloping Gertie Mark 2' [ the famous US bridge which blew down in a gale.
If you don't think this is possible then walk through an open space with a string wind blowing and see how badly you are affected, then do it again carrying a large shet of plastic and see if the wind is more or less likely to blow you over.

 

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