Kessock Bridge to get £1.5m, 22-week paint job
Bear Scotland says the work is not expected to cause disruption to traffic crossing the bridge.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s the latest on Kessock Bridge based on recent public updates:
- Safety improvements underway: BEAR Scotland, with funding from Transport Scotland, has been carrying out essential strengthening of the bridge towers and upgrades to wind-measurement equipment. The works began in 2024 and were targeted to complete around autumn 2025, with ongoing updates into 2026 as needed [Bear Scotland update, Jan 2025; Traffic Scotland update, Aug 2025].[1][3]
- Footway/cycle route closure: The west footway/cycleway has been closed to pedestrians and cyclists since early 2025 to allow works, with a diversion in place. There are advisories to check Traffic Scotland for the latest journey information and to plan extra time for trips [Traffic Scotland, Aug 2025].[3]
- Completion timeline: The overall improvement plans were described as progressing with completion aimed by Autumn 2026, though individual components (like paint work on north-end steel, wind sensors, and internal tower works) have their own targeted dates, some of which had shifted earlier in 2025 [Traffic Scotland update, Aug 2025; Bear Scotland page, Jan 2025].[1][3]
- Wind monitoring and safety enhancements: Upgraded wind-monitoring equipment and improved access inside the towers are part of the package to boost resilience against storms and high winds [Bear Scotland update, Jan 2025].[1]
Illustration: a common-sense way to think about the project is as a staged reinforcement of the bridge’s core structure, plus modernization of wind sensing, with temporary access restrictions that are periodically adjusted as works progress.
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent live travel advisories for your route near Santa Clara, or summarize the current status in a quick timeline with dates and milestones. I can also monitor for new official updates and provide a concise weekly digest.