BEAR Scotland is undertaking essential safety improvements on the A9 Kessock Bridge, which crosses the Beauly Firth, with a £4 million investment from Transport Scotland.

The project involves structural strengthening within all four of the bridge's steel towers to ensure it continues to meet major bridge loading standards for years to come. The works will also see the installation of new anemometers to measure wind speed and aid bridge management during stormy conditions.

An additional £1m project is also underway at the north end of the bridge at Span 13, where old paint coatings are being removed and a new protective paint system is being applied to the steelwork.

-- Advertisement --

Site works for the main scheme started in January 2025 and are progressing well, with the project reportedly running slightly ahead of its programmed schedule. As a result, the footway closure will be switched to the east side of the bridge on 4 September 2025, with a diversion provided to direct pedestrians and cyclists to the open west footway/cycleway. The main scheme is programmed for completion by Autumn 2026, with the Span 13 paint works estimated to finish in September 2025.

Intermittent night-time lane closures and a 30mph speed limit will be required over short periods throughout the programme of works to facilitate material deliveries and protect workers operating at height.

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland's North West Representative, said: "These essential works on Kessock Bridge will strengthen the steel structure and upgrade our wind measurement equipment. We're pleased that the works are progressing well and are slightly ahead of schedule. This means we can move the footway closure earlier than expected."