A flyover across the A90 in Perthshire has been closed indefinitely due to safety fears after it was struck by a digger.
Authorities have stopped vehicles from crossing the weakened structure due to “a likelihood of danger to the public.”
Engineers spent more than five hours on Friday analysing the dual carriageway flyover after a truck carrying an excavator collided with the structure the evening before.
Emergency services rushed to the Carse of Gowrie overpass and closed the northbound road for nearly 12 hours.
It is understood the crash caused substantial damage to the bridge parapet and the steel within the concrete.
A water mains leak caused by the crash worsened the situation by washing out material from behind the bridge abutment.
Bear Scotland engineers carried out detailed inspections, with lane closures on the carriageway in place between 9.30am and 3pm.
The engineers determined the bridge must be decommissioned to regular traffic until major repair work is carried out.
Andy Thompson, Bear Scotland’s North East representative said: “Our engineers have carried out detailed assessments of the structure and have identified extensive damage to parts of two of the beams on the overbridge, meaning we need to keep the flyover closed for safety until repairs can be carried out.
“Safety is our number one priority and we’ll look to repair the structure as soon as we can.”
Access to the slip road at the western end of St Madoes, which takes traffic on to and off the southbound carriageway has reopened. The turn-off from the northbound carriageway into Glencarse remains open.
Motorists intending to reach St Madoes from Perth or Glencarse from Dundee are advised to use the flyovers at Glendoick and Kinfauns respectively.
Access across the damaged bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles will be maintained.
A council spokesperson: “The Perth and Kinross Council as traffic authority, being satisfied that there is a likelihood of danger to the public due to the overbridge being struck by a vehicle, hereby prohibit all vehicular traffic on the following length of carriageway.
“The order will prohibit traffic on the C484 Main Road, St Madoes – Glencarse Overbridge from its junction with the A90 slip road to its junction with Cairnie Road, St Madoes. There will be a local diversion in place.”
