The new Naver Bridge at Bettyhill has officially opened to motorists, marking a significant milestone for infrastructure on the iconic North Coast 500 route.

While currently operating as a single carriageway, the bridge welcomed its first vehicles at the end of February, replacing the aging single-track wrought iron plate girder structure that previously spanned the River Naver.

The project, managed by Wills Bros Civil Engineering on behalf of The Highland Council, now enters its next critical phase. Demolition of the original bridge is scheduled to commence today, Thursday 5 March, and is expected to continue until the end of the month.

-- Advertisement --

The replacement of this "aged" link is part of a wider commitment to modernise transport infrastructure across the North Highlands, ensuring the route remains resilient for both local residents and the high volume of tourism traffic associated with the NC500.

Chair of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: "This vital transport link is a major north coast project which demonstrates our commitment to improving the infrastructure in rural areas of Highland. It is great to see the route now open for traffic and thanks go to contractors and our council staff for all their work to date. We offer sincere appreciation for the ongoing support and patience shown by local residents and stakeholders from the beginning of this project. Local cooperation continues to be invaluable as the project progresses."

Wills Bros has issued an apology for any potential inconvenience caused by the upcoming demolition works and expressed gratitude to local businesses and residents for their continued patience during the final stages of the project.