Plans have been revealed to develop a new bridge over the River Spey as part of the £3 billion A9 dualling scheme.

The scheme will see the existing structure and embankment removed, with a new dual carriageway bridge crossing the river, as part of a 16.5km stretch between Crubenmore and Kincraig.

A public exhibition is being held today, 09 March to display details of the preferred route options for this section of the A9 dualling project.

The event is taking place from 11am – 7pm at Talla Nan Ros, King Street in Kingussie.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, said procurement work started last week for the construction of the next section to be dualled between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam. Work on a section between Kincraig and Dalraddy is scheduled for completion this summer.

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"The public exhibitions this week are for the challenging 16.5 km section between Crubenmore and Kincraig which includes the River Spey and Insh Marshes, both internationally important in terms of their protected environmental status," Mr Brown said.

"The River Spey is a Special Area of Conservation supporting important populations of Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, fresh water pearl mussels and otter. In developing the crossing we are considering factors such as the local environment, proximity to Ruthven Barracks and its location within the flood plain.

"The form of the new bridge will be developed to sit low in the landscape, limit impact on the Spey, fit well within the local environment and allow unspoilt views of the Insh Marshes and nearby Ruthven Barracks.

"The preferred option for the bridge will be developed at the next stage taking account of the sensitive environment it will pass through including the river Spey and it's flood plain and the Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve."

(LM/CD)