Work is to begin on a £1.2 million improvement project across three bridges in the Highlands.

Transport Scotland has awarded the funding for upgrades to the A82 Laggan Swing Bridge, Aberchalder Swing Bridge and Invergarry Bridge on the A82 near Invergarry. Work is scheduled to get underway on Monday, 09 January.

Plans include painting Laggan Swing Bridge and Aberchalder Swing Bridge with a specialist protective layer to help prevent the steelwork from deteriorating. Specialist contractors will apply a new protective coating system, which is designed to last for a minimum of 25 years.

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At Invergarry Bridge, refurbishment and repair works will be carried out to both the bridge deck as well as underneath the structure, which was originally built in the 1930s, to ensure it continues to function safely. Work will take place on the bridge deck and will involve resurfacing and waterproofing, replacing the bridge joints and realigning the width of the carriageway. A second phase of work underneath the structure will get underway in the spring.

Improvements on Laggan and Aberchalder Bridges are expected to take up to ten weeks to complete, with works at Invergarry Bridge taking place for up to four weeks. The A82 will remain open throughout the works, however temporary traffic lights in place at each location for safety.

Speaking of the bridge refurbishment, Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland's North West Representative said: "This major programme of bridge refurbishment for all three structures will ensure that they will continue to function safely for years to come."

(LM/CD)