Kessock Bridge | Safety Improvement Plans

Thanks to a £2million investment from Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland is set to undertake essential safety improvements on Kessock Bridge on the A9 which crosses the Firth of Beauly, north of Inverness. The project involves structural strengthening within all four steel towers which will ensure the bridge continues to meet loading standards for major bridges in years to come. The works will also see the installation of new anemometers to measure wind speed and aid bridge management during stormy conditions.

Due to a review of the programme and working plan with the contractor, site surveys will now take place in November and December 2024. Works will then commence in January 2025 and are expected to be completed by October 2025.

The site surveys in November and December 2024 will have no impact on bridge users. Site works are currently planned to start in January 2025 after which, a reduction in the speed limit to 30mph may be required over short periods to protect the workers.

Due to the nature of the works, and to protect pedestrians and cyclists, from January the footway/cycleway will be closed on one side of the bridge. Midway through the works, this footway closure will be switched to the other side of the bridge. A diversion will be in place to safely direct pedestrians and cyclists to the other footway/cycleway.

Intermittent night time lane closures will be required for material deliveries, however these will be planned to limit any disruption to bridge users.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said, “These essential works on Kessock Bridge will strengthen the steel structure, upgrade our wind measurement equipment and we will also take the opportunity to improve access and safety inside the towers for our teams.

“We will do everything possible to complete this essential strengthening project as quickly and safely as possible. We thank all road users and the local community for their patience in advance.

“Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys.”