Significant progress has been made on the Inverness West Link bypass.

Construction work has commenced on the new Torvean Bridge, with deck components arriving at the site from fabricators in Darlington.

Landscaping works are also continuing, including the building of new walls and ongoing planting on the new roundabout. Contractors said the A82 underpass is also progressing well.

During the second phase in November last year the canal was closed to allow the installation of coffer dams at the extents of the bridge and wharf. Pipelines and pumps were also installed for the over-pumping operation.


Engineers had to keep the canal downstream topped up, which required 750 litres a second being pumped between the upstream and downstream dams.

The West Link project has significantly enhanced accessibility since the completion of Phase 1 and Highland Council is looking forward to all the benefits that Stage 2 will bring for local residents, businesses and visitors to the City of Inverness.

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Trish Robertson, said: "We are delighted to see the excellent progress being made on Stage 2 of the West Link project, which will be a game changer for commuters in Inverness.

"It is encouraging to see progress being maintained despite the challenges we have faced this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the halting of works earlier in the year."