Connel Bridge and A828 closed at night

Connel Bridge and the A828 south of Barcaldine have been closed overnight this week for resurfacing and repairs worth £385,000, after a vehicle struck the bridge’s overhead beams.

Drivers are facing a 42-mile diversion as 2.5km of the A828 between Barcaldine and Benderloch is closed at night until Friday November 16, when it reopens, and Connel Bridge is closed at night until Tuesday, November 13.

BEAR Scotland said due to Connel Bridge’s single lane, and restricted road widths at the area of resurfacing on the A828, both projects required road closures for safety.

A spokesperson said last week: ‘The A828 will be closed overnight between Benderloch and Barcaldine from November 4-15, between 7pm and 5.45am.

‘On the A85 at Connel and A82 at Ballachulish, a signed 42-mile diversion route will be in place via the A82 and A85 for road users travelling between Connel and Ballachulish.

‘Short amnesties will be in place to allow road users requiring access to properties accessed from the A828 to be safely escorted through the work site at approximately 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 11.30pm, 1.30am and 3.30am.

‘Road users should note that, although no surfacing works will take place overnight on Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10, closures will still be in place on the A828 between 10pm and 5.45am for essential bridge maintenance at Connel Bridge.

‘From 10pm on Tuesday November 6 to Monday November 12, local access will be available from Ballachulish only, due to works being in place on Connel Bridge.

‘The signed diversion route will be in place on those dates.

‘Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times. The A828 Connel Bridge will be closed from Tuesday November 6 for seven nights for essential bridge maintenance.

‘With the exception of emergency services, no traffic will be allowed to cross the bridge during this work, therefore any road users requiring access to properties via the A828 will require to do so from Ballachulish.

‘Access for pedestrians across Connel Bridge will be maintained throughout the project but will be escorted through the site only when it is safe to do.’

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s north-west unit representative, said: ‘Through combining Connel Bridge repair work and planned surfacing improvements south of Barcaldine, we aim to reduce overall disruption to motorists and local residents while maximising productivity.’