Some preliminary ground investigations have been carried out in the Forth area in the past and more detailed investigations have been undertaken for the Forth Replacement Crossing to supplement and update those findings.
Ground investigations are an essential part of the design process for any major infrastructure project. They reveal information about conditions in any given area and indicate whether the location can support a major structure. The results of these investigations are used by engineers to inform decisions on road alignment, the location of structures such as embankments and cuttings, and the materials to be used in construction.
Through a combination of drilling and boring which extract soil and rock samples, Ground investigations reveal the ground conditions, including soil and rock strata, that exist in the vicinity of the proposed scheme.
The team of around 40 geotechnical engineers, geologists and drillers are accompanied by an archeologist and ecologist during the survey works. This is to ensure that archaeological and ecological features, such as historic ruins or protected species are not disrupted or damaged during the works.
Specialist contractors Norwest Holst and Ritchies will undertake ground investigations North and South of the Forth respectively.
An information leaflet – Environmental Surveys and Ground Investigations: Information for Landowners – provides landowners with an overview of the kinds of surveys and investigations that may be necessary and what they entail.
Please view the project contact details if you have an enquiry specific to the Forth Replacement Crossing project.
If you wish to make a more general enquiry, please view the contact information page for details.
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