Work on the second phase of the main Kessock Bridge upgrade commenced last month, and BEAR Scotland has said the project is continuing to progress.

Part of a £13.2m investment from Transport Scotland, work has now entered the fourth week of a 20-week scheduled programme.

A number of works have been completed to date and include:

• The removal of the movement joints at the north and south abutments being completed.

• Further preparation for the installation of the new joints with hydro-demolition, which is a technique using high pressure water jets to break up concrete.

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• The ongoing removal of the bridge waterproofing and preparation of the steel bridge deck.

• Removal of the steel plates for the old safety barrier is ongoing and installation of steel base plates for the new barrier is underway.

• The erection of scaffolding at the east side of the bridge for the cable stressing has started.

• Testing of the steel deck started using MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection) techniques. This is a non-destructive testing technique used to identify defects or cracks on the surface of the steel bridge deck.

In addition, works planned for the week ahead include removing the existing waterproofing on the bridge deck, as well as removing the current barrier from the footway and installing a replacement barrier.

Discussing the upgrade, Calum Galloway, BEAR Scotland's Bridges Manager for the North West Unit, said: "Works on the Kessock Bridge are progressing well and we thank members of the public for their continued patience and for avoiding using the bridge, especially during peak times."

(JP)