New £3.3m Muir of Ord rail bridge on track
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THE long-awaited new £3.3 million railway bridge in Muir of Ord is expected to open to traffic next month.
Works are continuing on the construction of the new crossing which will replace the existing bridge carrying the A862 over the main Inverness to Dingwall railway line.
All 22 prefabricated concrete parapets have now been installed.
In addition, recent surfacing works to the west of the new bridge has allowed traffic to be switched away from the existing road on to a newly-laid temporary surface.
The western wing-walls have been poured and a start has been made to pouring the copes of the eastern retaining wall which will support the vehicle safety barrier. These works have been carried out alongside utility works. Other works currently under way include drainage, up-filling, and construction of the new North West Road to Corrie Road junction. A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "It is expected that vehicles will be able to use the new bridge under traffic management in February with demolition of the existing bridge expected in March and all works completed by the end of May.
"The Highland Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the community and all road users using the route for their co-operation during the works."
The council says the temporary traffic light arrangements are monitored on a daily basis, with manual control of the lights when particularly busy periods occur.
The traffic lights will be moved away from the junction, towards the bridge, as soon as site conditions permit.
The council has a supervision team on site and it will continue to review the overall arrangements regularly.
Frances MacGruer, chairwoman of Muir of Ord Community Council, said: "It’s
not been easy with the traffic management but its a case of being patient and considering other road users. It’s the best they can do with the logistics of the road, I’m afraid.
"However contractors George Leslie have been great notifying the community and neighbouring properties of the progress. They have liaised with the community council and also the local school and the kids even built a bridge themselves.
"I can’t praise the company enough. They have been very considerate towards our community."
The new railway bridge has been long anticipated in Muir of Ord.
The council restricted the old railway bridge to single lane around 12 years
ago and put in traffic lights amid fears
for the stability of the 105-year-old structure.
