The damaged bridge on the A939 Nairn to Grantown Road at Dava remains closed to all traffic after it was struck by a car on Friday 15 September.
The Council’s structures team has completed inspections to ascertain the extent of damage and the necessary repairs.
They have found that, in addition to the section of parapet that has collapsed into the river, adjacent lengths of parapet and spandrel wall are unstable and will need to be carefully dismantled and rebuilt.
This is a fairly involved process which may necessitate temporarily stripping off part of the roadway and backfill from the arch to allow the supporting walls to be reconstructed.
The team are currently drawing up a specification and drawing for the repairs, as well as speaking to potentially interested Contractors.
They are making all efforts to expedite the process but, at this stage, they estimate that the bridge will potentially be shut for a further 10 weeks, allowing time to appoint and mobilise a contractor, and carry out the works.
Further details and the confirmed programme of works to carry out the repairs will be publicised as soon as they can be confirmed.
In the meantime the bridge therefore will remain closed to all traffic and drivers should use alternative routes.
