Work to take up to six months to complete

• All work to take place beneath bridge deck meaning minimal impact to A9 road users

• Two closures planned for A924 off-slip to Pitlochry at start and end of project

A maintenance project on the A9 at Tummel Bridge is set to get underway this week, which will provide protection to the structure’s steelwork for many years to come.

The proposed works, which require the removal of the existing paintwork and the application of a new paint system, will protect the steelwork from deterioration and corrosion for the next 20 years. To provide access to the areas requiring treatment, specialist scaffolding will be erected to allow teams to work from a platform that suspended beneath the bridge girders.

The project is expected to begin on Wednesday 27 January and is anticipated to take up to six months to complete.

Traffic operation on the A9 will remain open throughout the project as the works will take place beneath the bridge deck.  However, one lane of the A924 off-slip to Pitlochry will be closed for the duration of the project to allow safe access to the underside of the structure.

An overnight closure of the off-slip will be required from Tuesday 9 February to Friday 12 February (four nights) and from Thursday 7 September to Friday 8 September (two nights) between 11pm and 5am to allow the contractor to safely set up and remove the work site. A diversion route will be implemented during these periods with A9 traffic being directed to use the northern junction with the A924 to access the town.

Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance, will be in force to protect teams and ensure they remain safe at all times.

Commenting on the project, Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “Repainting of the Tummel Bridge on the A9 will allow us to protect the structure from corrosion and the elements for years to come.

“We’ve arranged for the work to take place beneath the bridge deck meaning minimal impact to trunk road users; however, some restrictions will be required at certain times to facilitate the works and allow safe access to be taken by our operatives.

“Teams will do all they can to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible, and we thank motorists and the local community in advance for their patience while we implement these improvements.”

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