A historic swing bridge in the north-east’s biggest town has reopened to traffic.
Peterhead’s Queenie Bridge closed in December 2016 before it was removed as part of the £50million harbour redevelopment.
The crossing links the port’s north and south basins and was installed more than six decades ago.
As part of the revamp of Peterhead Port which includes the new fish market and the deepening of the harbour, the Queenie Bridge was widened.
That involved lifting the connection out of place so work on its foundation, underground ducting and handrails could be carried out by harbour staff.
Peterhead Port’s chief engineer David Buchan led the effort to remove the bridge two years ago.
He said it could not just be taken to pieces and reassembled again.
Mr Buchan said: “We had to lift it in two pieces only.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
“One piece was the deck and one piece was the counter balance and machinery rooms.
“We had to get in a specialist company in to lift it out.
“It had to be lifted and taken to a yard.
“We had it blasted and painted and we decided to renew the drive and motor system.”
Mr Buchan said the revamped crossing means traffic can avoid the fish market at its busier times.
He said: “We have really enhanced the traffic flow around the harbour.
“The fish market is a very busy place up until lunchtime.”
The bridge is only open between 6:30am and 1pm for harbour traffic and for fish industry employees to get access to their work.
The Queenie Bridge opened in 1954 to connect Bridge Street and Greenhill Road. It replaced a swing bridge which had stood on the site since 1850.
Work on the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Peterhead Harbour is due to finish in a matter of weeks.
