Traffic restrictions on the Kessock Bridge during peak times have been lifted, Transport Scotland has said.

The restrictions have been removed as major roadworks on the ambitious project near completion.

Under the investment, the bridge has been completely refurbished with a new resilient, state-of-the-art road surface, that should remain repair-free for 30 years. Safety barriers have also been replaced in the central reserve and footways, while the bridge deck expansion joints have been replaced and the main bridge cables re-tensioned.

In addition, facilities for pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing have been improved with the footway/cycleway path being resurfaced and the parapet rails being upgraded.

As a significant amount of the work is now complete, the transport authority has said the team will now work at nights to finish the project. This will be carried out during off-peak times so as to avoid traffic congestion.

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Welcoming the news, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This is one of the largest trunk road bridge maintenance projects ever undertaken in Scotland and I am pleased to see it moving ahead at great pace with the daytime restrictions lifted five weeks ahead of schedule.

"Inverness deserves top class transport links and that is what the Scottish Government is delivering. Overall we have spent more than £15 million on the refurbishment of the bridge and the other infrastructure improvements associated with the project.

"These include local junction improvements on the A9 and A82 at Longman Roundabout, the construction and re-opening of Conon Bridge Railway Station and the extension of the car park at Beauly Station."

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland's representative for the North West Unit, commented: "The whole team has worked extremely hard to deliver this excellent job ahead of schedule. We've taken the opportunity to use one of the most innovative products available.

"This is the first time that this surface, Gussasphalt, has been used in Scotland and its unique properties mean that the road surface should remain repair free for the next thirty years. The installation of the new safety barriers is also a first for Scotland."

George Hood, Managing Director for Balfour Beatty North Scotland, added: "Balfour Beatty is delighted to be in a position to reopen the southbound carriageway of the Kessock Bridge to daytime traffic some five weeks ahead of schedule.

"This achievement of completing complex works, often during challenging weather conditions, is a testament to the hard work of our project team and supply chain and to the positive working relationship established between Transport Scotland, BEAR and Balfour Beatty."

(JP/CD)