A new bridge opened yesterday in Glencoe on a key stretch of the A82 – complete with wildlife walkways
The Transport Scotland-funded Allt Fhiodhan bridge is near Glencoe Visitor Ventre and was built to replace the previous sub-standard bridge around one mile south-east of Glencoe Village.
The £1.5m box-culvert design is almost 20ft wider than the previous structure, and includes an 8ft wide path for pedestrians.
It has been designed to last for 120 years and is able to handle significantly higher water flows in the Allt Fhiodhan burn as it runs into the River Coe.
A temporary bridge was installed to allow two-way traffic to flow during the six month construction period, keeping disruption was kept to a minimum.
The construction was programmed for the summer months to avoid impacting on the salmon-spawning season.
Around 1,200 tonnes of rock armour was installed around the new structure to protect the foundation and the river banks from any potential wash-out during high river flows.
‘Mammal walkways’ were also incorporated into the design to allow wildlife to cross safely under the bridge in all flow conditions.
Minor landscaping work will be carried out around the new structure in the spring, but there will be no impact to road users.
Next year a new embankment will be created early next year downstream of the new structure using a traditional technique known as ‘willow spiling’.
Live willow rods are woven between live willow uprights and the area behind is filled with soil for the willow to root into.
This is done in a terrace formation helping to create a strong, natural river bank.
Transport minister Michael Matheson said: “I’m delighted to see this important piece of work being delivered to ensure the Allt Fhiodhan Bridge is fit for the future.
“The A82 is a key route and this investment underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing a safe and reliable trunk road network for the communities and businesses that rely on it.”
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative said: “The newly widened carriageway will ensure the A82 trunk road remains a safe, reliable route to towns and villages in the north west of Scotland.”
