A major milestone has been reached on the £10 million A96 Inveramsay Bridge project, it has been announced.

The design and build contractor Balfour Beatty has successfully lifted 14 precast concrete beams into position.

The works were completed through the night over a three week period.

Each beam, weighing roughly 30 tonnes and approximately 20 metres in length, were lifted and manoeuvred into place to form the new bridge structure.

The bridge will carry the new A96 Trunk road over the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line, currently being developed to the north of the existing A96.

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Approximately 1.5km of new road is to be built along with the new structure, including an underpass to provide farm access.

The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2016.

Transport Minister Derek MacKay said: "The installation of the bridge beams marks a significant milestone for the Inveramsay Bridge Improvement project, which will help to remove congestion and improve journey times for road users travelling along the A96.

"We have made clear our commitment to the north east by progressing with this important scheme and by improving transport infrastructure in the north and the north east of Scotland.

"This project along with progress made on dualling the A96 and A9 as well as the commitment to progress the AWPR represents billions of pounds of investment.

"The work being carried out on the Inveramsay Bridge will cut congestion, improve journey time reliability and traffic flows, while reducing the likelihood of bridge strikes, which can cause disruption to both road and rail users."

(LM/CD)