Major Milestone as Bridge Beams Lifted on A96 Inveramsay Bridge

A significant milestone on the £10m Inveramsay Bridge Improvement Project has been reached with the successful installation of 14 concrete bridge beams over the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line.

Balfour Beatty, the contractor responsible for designing and building the project recently lifted the 14 precast concrete beams safely into position. The works were completed through the night over a three week period to avoid disruption to the rail service.

Time lapse video footage has been released by Transport Scotland showing the beams, which weigh around 30 tonnes and are approximately 20 metres in length, being lifted and manoeuvred into place to form the new bridge structure.

The new bridge will carry the new A96 Trunk road over the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line, which is currently being constructed to the north of the existing A96.

Transport Minister Derek MacKay said:

“The installation of the bridge beams marks a significant milestone for the Inveramsay Bridge Improvement project, which will help to remove congestion and improve journey times for road users travelling along the A96.

“We have made clear our commitment to the north east by progressing with this important scheme and by improving transport infrastructure in the north and the north east of Scotland.

“This project along with progress made on dualling the A96 and A9 as well as the commitment to progress the AWPR represents billions of pounds of investment.

“The work being carried out on the Inveramsay Bridge will cut congestion, improve journey time reliability and traffic flows, while reducing the likelihood of bridge strikes, which can cause disruption to both road and rail users.”