A milestone has been reached in the latest multi-million pound bridges replacement programme on one of the most scenic roads in Lochaber.
Seven bridges will be replaced along the Road to the Isles – the A830 – from Fort William to Mallaig.
The project will cost £10 million to complete, and Criche bridge, seven miles west of Glenfinnan, is the latest structure to be replaced.
The programame is progressing well with the completion of the temporary road bridge ensuring that the A830 remains open to motorists during construction.
Criche is the sixth bridge to be replaced on the A830, with the first at Dearg opened to traffic in December 2014, two at Garbh and Utha completed in 2015 and a further two at Ranochan and Arieniskill completed in 2016.
Design is underway for the next bridge replacement at Shlatach, with construction due on-site next year.
The new bridges are wider than the old structures and, to ensure they blend in with their rural surroundings, stone from the old ones have been incorporated into the new designs.
Construction of the new bridges had to commence during the summer due to environmental restrictions around the sensitive watercourses, with each structure expected to take up to six months to complete.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “We are delighted that the scheme at Criche Bridge is progressing well, and the installation of the temporary bridge is an important step that will help ensure that any disruption to motorists is kept to a minimum.
“The £10 million investment in the replacement of seven bridges plus improvements at two others on the route will help ensure that the scenic Road to The Isles is kept to a safe standard for years to come.”
And further north, repairs are continuing this week on the A832 – which links Cromarty on the east coast with Gairloch in the west.
Following flooding at the weekend, the road was closed west of Gorstan junction between Corriemoille and Lochluichart, as a section, almost 66 feet long, had been washed away. Around a tonne of debris was also washed onto a stretch of the route a mile further along.
Repairs to both sections are ongoing with the first section at Corriemoille due to be completed yesterday, but traffic lights at the site will be operational until this morning.
Work starts on the second section nearer Lochluichart today and should be completed by Friday, resources and weather permitting.