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New £10million bridge opens on key route to Scottish islands

The Ranochan Bridge
The Ranochan Bridge

A new bridge on the Road to the Isles has opened as part of a £10million project to improve safety.

The Ranochan crossing, on the scenic A830 between Fort William and Mallaig, is the fourth bridge to be replaced on the route in the past two years after a commitment from roads agency

Transport Scotland.

The new bridge, six miles west of “Harry Potter country” at Glenfinnan, used stone from the old bridge incorporated into a new design to ensure it is in keeping with its surroundings.

It provides a wider carriageway and verges, improved alignment and vehicle containment. It is said to be of “low maintenance design” to ensure longevity.

Ranochan Bridge follows on from works completed at Dearg Bridge in December 2014, and Utha and Garbh Bridges at the end of last year.

Works is ongoing at a fifth new structure at Arieniskill, three miles west of Ranochan Bridge, with construction expected to be completed in the new year.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This is the fourth structure to be replaced in this ambitious £10million project to improve the A830.

“Everything possible is being done to minimise disruption for the communities along the way and the use of temporary bridges is a demonstration of the innovative thinking of our civil engineers as they take forward the refurbishment of nine of these structures.”

The A830 Ranochan Bridge before the upgrade
The A830 Ranochan Bridge before the upgrade

Eddie Ross of roads maintenance firm Bear Scotland said: “We’re pleased to open the Ranochan Bridge.

“As with the previous bridges, we’ve made sure to limit any impact to motorists as much as possible by erecting temporary bridges next to the construction of the new bridges to ensure access on the A830 was maintained at all times.”

Minor works will continue for a few weeks with a lane closure in place to allow removal of the temporary bridge and associated road diversion next to the new Ranochan crossing.

Design is underway for the next two bridges in the programme following the completion with construction due to begin at Criche Bridge in 2017 and Shlatach Rail Bridge in 2018.