A9 Kessock Bridge | Update On Improvement Plans

Thanks to a £4million investment from Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland is undertaking essential safety improvements on the A9 Kessock Bridge that crosses the Beauly Firth, north of Inverness. The project involves structural strengthening within all four steel towers, which will ensure that the bridge continues to meet major bridge loading standards in years to come. The works will also see the installation of new anemometers to measure wind speed and aid bridge management during stormy conditions.

Site works started in January 2025 and completion of the whole scheme is programmed by Autumn 2026.

Due to the nature of the works being undertaken, and to protect pedestrians and cyclists, the west footway/cycleway on the bridge has been closed since January 2025 with a safe diversion route provided.

The works have progressed well and are slightly ahead of programme.      

As such, the footway closure will now be switched to the east side of the bridge on 4 September 2025, with a diversion provided to safely direct pedestrians and cyclists to the open west footway/cycleway. Additional intermittent closures to the footway may be required to facilitate future works, however, any further changes to footway closures will be communicated by letter and press release.

Intermittent night-time lane closures will be required for material deliveries, however these will be planned to limit any disruption to bridge users. A reduction in the speed limit to 30mph will also be required over short periods throughout the programme of works. This is to protect workers undertaking works at height on the external faces of the pylons.

At the north end of the bridge at Span 13, an additional £1million project is currently underway to remove the paint coatings and apply a new protective paint system onto the steelwork. The estimated scheme completion for these works is September 2025.

Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said, “These essential works on Kessock Bridge will strengthen the steel structure and upgrade our wind measurement equipment. We will also take the opportunity to improve access and safety inside the towers for our maintenance teams.

“We’re pleased that the works are progressing well and are slightly ahead of schedule. This means we can move the footway closure earlier than expected.

“Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys.”