A SPEED restriction and lane closures will be in place while “essential” safety work is carried out on a bridge in Inverness.
Safety improvements are to be carried out on Kessock Bridge, which links the Highland city and the Black Isle on the A9 for up to six months, it has been announced.
The work on the bridge is due to commence next month with speed limit restrictions and overnight lane closures due to be introduced.
All four of the bridge’s steel towers will be the subject of structural strengthening with new anemometers, to measure wind speed and to help with bridge management during stormy conditions.
READ MORE: Alan Cumming backs fundraiser to save mobile cinema for rural Scotland
BEAR Scotland is to carry out the essential work on behalf of Transport Scotland.
One of the foot and cycle paths is due to be closed for the entirety of the six months due to concerns over the safety of pedestrians.
BEAR Scotland confirmed there will be a diversion in place for foot or cycle traffic during the lane closure period.
The speed limit will be reduced from 50mph to 30mph with intermittent lane closures throughout the improvement work.
The road maintenance and management firm have warned motorists to leave some extra time to complete their journeys when the restrictions come into force.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative, said: “These essential works on the Kessock Bridge will strengthen the steel structure, upgrade our wind measurement equipment and we will also take the opportunity to improve access and safety inside the towers for our teams.
“We will do everything possible to complete this essential strengthening project as quickly and safely as possible. We thank all road users and the local community for their patience in advance.
“Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here