Drivers warned of Cromarty Bridge closure
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DRIVERS are being warned that the A9 Cromarty Bridge will close overnight on Sunday between 5am and 10am for refurbishment work.
The works had been scheduled for overnight closure on Saturday but Bear Scotland said the timing had been delayed because of work taking longer than anticipated.
The closure will allow a large 50-tonne crane and accompanying vehicles to sit on the carriageway safely while assisting a barge manoeuvre underneath the bridge.
The timings of the closure have been planned around the tides in the Cromarty Firth. During these hours the sea levels will have dropped enough to safely move the barge beneath the bridge deck.
A signed diversion route will be in place with motorists diverted from Tore Roundabout to Ardullie Roundabout via the A862 through Dingwall and vice versa.
Bear Scotland says the scour protection works on six piers of the bridge, involving the installation of rock armour around the pier foundations, are progressing well.
The majority of the works are taking place from the barge beneath the bridge deck and this latest vessel manoeuvre will allow teams to position the equipment ahead of the next phase.
Bears has consulted the emergency services, transport operators and Highland Council ahead of the closure.
Eddie Ross, of Bear Scotland, said: "We’ve planned the barge manoeuvre in accordance with the tide levels in Cromarty Firth, meaning an early morning closure is necessary for safety.
"A diversion through Dingwall will be in place and we will look to complete the works as quickly and safely as possible."
