Research on ways to prevent ice build-ups on the Queensferry Crossing will take place this year, after falling chunks of ice created dangerous conditions over the winter months.
The £1.35 billion bridge over the Forth was forced to shut for two days last year when ice built up on its cables amid wintry conditions.
A total of eight vehicles were damaged by falling chunks of ice.
But coating the bridge’s cables with a hydrophobic material or installing de-icing systems have been suggested as potential solutions to keep traffic moving on the bridge.
READ MORE: Anger as Queensferry Crossing forced to shut for second time in seven weeks due to ice fall
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson updated MSPs on Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on Wednesday.
He said the process of diverting traffic to the older Forth Road Bridge if the Queensferry Crossing had to close took around five hours, with the Kincardine Bridge used in between.
Most cable-stayed suspension bridges around the world deal with ice build-ups by putting diversions in place, he said, but research will take place this year on alternative solutions for the Queensferry Crossing.
He said: “The good thing is that the Queensferry Crossing is a much more resilient crossing than the Forth Road Bridge.
“The number of occasions where the Queensferry Crossing has still been operational and open to high-sided vehicles compared to the Forth Road Bridge – it’s night and day, it’s been transformational.”
Discussing the research planned for this year, he said: “It’s looking at the possibility of hydrophobic coating on the cables, it’s also looking at a different type of de-icing system that could potentially be deployed.
“The intention is that some laboratory research will be carried out later this year to test out these options.
READ MORE: Queensferry crossing closed because of falling ice as snow hits Scotland
“And then potentially, if they indicate they could be helpful, there is a possibility that we may be able to deploy a couple of pilots for next winter.”
Refurbishment work on the Forth Road Bridge means it is now “up to its expected standard”, he said.
The Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge are maintained by Bear Scotland, which has previously said it wants to find a long-term solution to preventing ice build-ups.
The company is looking into methods of vibrating the cables, ultrasonic de-icing systems and robotics as potential solutions.
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