Essential roadworks are planned for B861 Ness Bridge, Inverness, from Monday 17 April 2023 for six weeks.
During this time the road over the bridge below Inverness Castle will be reduced to one-way traffic.
A diversion will be available via the A82 Friar’s Bridge.
The B861 Ness Bridge will be temporarily reduced to single carriageway with just two lanes remaining open and will operate on a one-way system basis.
At least one footway will remain open.
The works begin on Monday 17 April and are expected to last for up to six weeks.
The scheduled completion date is expected to be no later than Friday 26 May 2023.
The works will only be focused on the B861 Ness Bridge, Young Street.
All surrounding roads will remain open as usual.
The direction of traffic on the bridge will change more than once during the works.
The following timetable shows the dates when specific carriageways will be closed.
When the eastbound carriageway is closed, traffic will not be able to enter the city centre via Ness Bridge and will need to divert via the A82 Friar’s Bridge.
When the westbound carriageway is closed, traffic will not be able to exit the city centre via Ness Bridge and will need to divert via A82 Friar’s bridge.
Planned Road Works 2023B861 Ness Bridge, Inverness | |||
Dates | Event | B861 Ness Bridge Eastbound | B861 Ness Bridge Westbound |
Mon 17 Apr to Sat 22nd Apr | Bridge works | Closed | Open |
Sun 23 Apr to Tue 16 May | Bridge works | Open | Closed |
Wed 17 May to Fri 26 May | Bridge works | Closed | Open |
At least one footway on the bridge will remain open at all times for pedestrian access.
Pedestrians may need to use the crossings at the ends of the bridge to access the open footway.
Bus routes that use the B861 Ness Bridge may be affected.
Passengers should check with their bus operator for details.
Following careful consideration and in a change to previously advised measures, a temporary one-way system is now required to allow space for investigations.
The aim of the amendment to the measures is to ensure the least overall disruption and allow the works to be finished in the shortest timescale.
Signs will be in operation to divert traffic over the A82 Friar’s Bridge.
Works will stop to allow the ETAPE on Sunday 23 April and Cancer Research UK event on Sunday 14 May.
There will still be disruption to traffic on these days because of these events.
These are essential works which are required to allow a structural investigation of Ness Bridge.
The public should be reassured that the bridge is safe to use, and the investigation is required because the bridge contains post-tensioning.
Post-tensioning can contain hidden defects that can only be detected by intrusive investigation.
Carrying out an investigation is considered good practice for a structure like Ness Bridge.
The public is thanked in advance for its understanding and patience during these essential works.