A planning application has been lodged for the build of a new Bernera Bridge to link the Isle of Lewis and Great Bernera.
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar are behind the plans, following this year’s closure of the existing Bernera Bridge to traffic weighing over 7.5 tonnes.
If approved, the £3 million 100 metre modular bridge will be assembled on site using cranes and telehandlers. The works will require the formation of rock fill embankments either side of the channel using local quarry sourced materials as the main source.
The council said that the embankments form the sub-structural support for the reinforced concrete foundation plinths on which the bridge superstructure will be supported.
Once the structure is assembled, it will then be launched out across the channel on temporary supports using a winch system. It will support loads of 40 tonnes and have a design life of 30 years.
