Traffic will be diverted for 10 days from Friday while work takes place on a controversial level crossing in Cornton.
Network Rail will begin the next phase of work to upgrade Cornton level crossing this week.
To enable the introduction of the new barrier system, there needs to be signalling, telecoms and track works on and around the level crossing.
Cornton Road, from its junction with Forth Park to its junction with Carsaig Court, will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians from 11.30pm on Friday, April 30, until 6am on Monday May 10.
An alternative route for pedestrians to cross the railway during the road closure will be at the pedestrian level crossing at Easter Cornton Road or the footbridge at Adamson Place/Dumyat Road.
Cars and large vehicles will be diverted through Cornton Road, Fountain Road, Henderson Street, Airthrey Road, Causewayhead Road, Cornton Road and vice versa.
Heavy goods vehicles will be diverted via Cornton Road, Fountain Road, Henderson Street, Airthrey Road, Alloa Road, A91, Kerse Road, Burghmuir Road, Causewayhead Road, Cornton Road and vice versa.
Engineers are replacing the current half-barrier level crossing system with a new full-barrier stretching all the way across the road.
Optical remote sensing technology, which scans for objects on the track, will also be introduced as part of the upgrade.
While Network Rail says the work will help to address years of safety concerns at the crossing, the body was criticised earlier this year when data emerged showing that barriers could be down for 50 minutes in every hour with the new system.
Stirling Council has no powers to intervene but have raised concerns that if motorists end up taking alternative routes because of the new system they could be left to foot the bill for new and improved routes.
Innis Keith, head of operational safety for Network Rail in Scotland, said: “We are approaching the final stages of this vital project to upgrade Cornton Road level crossing.
“When the level crossing re-opens, the barriers will stretch across the full length of the road, so there will be a significant and positive change, not just in how the crossing looks, but in how safe it is for trains, vehicles and pedestrians to use.
“While we understand the importance of this through route for local traffic, and that closing it isn’t ideal, diversion routes will be in place to minimise inconvenience to the community.
“We apologise to anyone affected by this work and thank you for your continued support and patience throughout these essential improvement works.”
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A Network Rail representative recently told a meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council that eight passenger trains per hour were predicted for “the next few years”, with freight trains “running a bit differently” with some operating daily, some weekly, and others fortnightly.
If ScotRail were to change their timetable, the representative added, that would take about two years to realise but the ‘barrier down’ figure of 50 minutes was based on a 14-train per hour scenario.
