The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
New bridge helps make hills come alive for walkers
A new bridge which will give thousands of walkers access to Ben Nevis has been lowered into place.
It is a major step forward in a project to improve accessibility in Glen Nevis.
The footbridge has been located close to the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and replaces a previous crossing which was beginning to show its age.
The area is the starting point for the vast majority of walkers tackling the UK’s highest mountain via the tourist track.
Work in the area also involves upgrading a path to make it accessible to people with mobility issues.
Work has been ongo- ing for the last few months – and is due to finish in around four weeks.
The substantial new bridge was built in sections in Inverness and arrived on site on Monday this week.
After being pieced together on site, a huge crane was brought in to carefully lower it into place over the River Nevis.
Willie Lawrie, director of Fort William-based contractor Fion Construction said the new bridge “looks the part”.
He said work on the project had been progressing well and was on course to be finished before the tourist season which sees thousands of walkers travel to the area.
The project is costing around £597,000.