WORKS on the Naver Bridge replacement scheme, on the A836 section of the North Coast 500 route near Bettyhill in the Highlands, have reached a major milestone with the completion of the in-river works.
This includes all piling works for the bridge foundations, and enables the contractor, Wills Bros Civil Engineering, to continue with the remaining foundation and bridge superstructure works throughout the summer months.
All equipment associated with the piling works, such as piling rig and support cranes, are now off site.
Chair of The Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, councillor Ken Gowans, said, “I am delighted to see progress on this vital transport link – a major north coast project which demonstrates our commitment to improving the infrastructure in rural areas of Highland.”
The next phases of the scheme involves the construction of the bridge abutments and piers, with the main bridge beams due to be delivered to site towards the end of the year. Road makeup, utility diversion and retaining wall construction works will also progress alongside the bridge construction works.
The Highland Council said the milestone was achieved with the ‘unwavering support’ of all stakeholders, particularly the River Naver Fisheries and Naver District Salmon Fisheries Board, who have worked with the project team to support the scheme and complete the in-river works.
Works are planned to continue throughout year, with bridge construction, utility diversion, road construction and landscaping works due to be completed and open to traffic by summer 2026. Demolition of the existing bridge structure is scheduled for the in-river working window in November 2026, enabling full project completion by December 2026.
