The replacement of Balliemore Bridge in Glen Lean, Cowal, has reached a critical phase with the recent installation of six precast, 15-meter long, pre-stressed concrete deck beams. These beams arrived on site on Wednesday, June 4, and were successfully lifted into place onto the reinforced concrete abutments using a 130-tonne capacity crane. The beams are now being secured together.

The next steps in the project involve the installation of pre-cast wing walls and further deck reinforcement, in preparation for the in-situ concrete deck pour.

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The original Balliemore Bridge was demolished after its partial collapse during a severe weather event on October 7, 2023. Following this, Argyll and Bute Council, in collaboration with Ardtaraig Estate, constructed a diversion road and installed a temporary bridge slightly upstream of the original site. The temporary bridge arrived on November 28, 2023, and the diversion road was opened to traffic on December 1, 2023.

Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Amenity and Transport Services, praised the efforts involved in the complex project. "It takes an enormous amount of planning and engineering to get to this stage of a project, and I commend everyone who has been involved. I know it has been very complex," he said. "The temporary bridge has served its purpose well, and I now look forward to the new Balliemore Bridge standing proud for many, many decades to come after completion."