Motorists are facing disruption on the A9 this week as improvement works on two major bridges begin.
Dornoch Bridge is to be closed overnight from tonight for the structure’s expansion joints to be upgraded as part of a £190,000 project.
And Bear Scotland has also confirmed the bridges at Raigmore Interchange are also now set for overnight works starting this week.
Two bridges carry the dual carriageway Inverness to Thurso road over the major junction and they are now due to have joints replaced to ensure safety for years to come.
The improvements will take place overnight, from 7pm to 7am, and is scheduled to take up to eight nights to complete.
Works will be completed on both bridges on the northbound carriageway before switching to complete the structures on the southbound side.
Due to the nature of the improvements the relevant carriageway of the A9 will be closed each night and during these times traffic will be diverted a short distance via the slip roads to the roundabout then back onto the A9.
The bridge closure and all traffic management will be lifted by 7am ahead of the morning rush hour.
Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north west representative, said: “The eight nights of bridge work will allow our teams to safely replace the bridge joints across both sides of the A9 at the two bridges over the Raigmore Interchange, helping to make sure the bridges remain in a safe condition.
“We’ve scheduled the works to take place overnight to minimise disruption to motorists and have arranged for the work to take place over consecutive nights to reduce the overall impact of the programme.
“Our teams will look to complete the works as quickly and safety as possible however we’d encourage motorists to allow some extra for their journey.”
The Dornoch Bridge will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am for the next eight nights, resulting in a lengthy diversion via Bonar Bridge.
Pedestrians and cyclists can be escorted through the site when safe to do so and emergency vehicles will be allowed through upon notification of the site team.
The second phase of the works will take place during the day and the bridge will remain open with temporary traffic lights in operation with the road reduced to one lane.
