A major safety enhancement project is set to kick off on the iconic Kessock Bridge, thanks to a £2 million investment from Transport Scotland aimed at strengthening the bridge’s steel towers and installing advanced safety equipment.
BEAR Scotland, responsible for maintaining the A9’s Kessock Bridge spanning the Firth of Beauly north of Inverness, will carry out these vital improvements, reinforcing all four steel towers to ensure the bridge remains fit for years of heavy use.
The project will also bring in new anemometers—devices to measure wind speeds—to support bridge management during stormy weather, enhancing safety for both bridge users and maintenance teams.
Before work officially begins, site surveys are scheduled for November and December 2024, with the main strengthening efforts launching in January 2025 and wrapping up by October 2025.
These preliminary site surveys will cause no disruption to bridge users; however, starting in January, the work will require some notable changes to the usual flow over the bridge, including the possibility of a reduced speed limit of 30 mph during specific periods to ensure worker safety.
One side of the bridge’s footway and cycle path will be closed to protect pedestrians and cyclists during the construction, with a diversion in place to direct users safely to the other side, a closure that will switch sides midway through the project.
Overnight lane closures will also take place intermittently to allow for material deliveries, though these will be carefully scheduled to minimise disruption for road users.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, emphasised the importance of the works, stating:
“These essential works on Kessock Bridge will strengthen the steel structure, upgrade our wind measurement equipment, and improve access and safety inside the towers for our teams.”
Stewart reassured the community that BEAR Scotland is committed to completing the project swiftly and safely, expressing thanks in advance to bridge users and local residents for their patience throughout the upgrades.
For those travelling on the A9 during this period, Stewart advised staying informed, saying, “Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys.”
With these improvements, Kessock Bridge will stand stronger and safer against Highland weather and ensure the A9’s role as a vital corridor linking Inverness to the north.
