The first of the central beams to connect the north and south side of the West Link bridge, Inverness were put in place today, 6 March 2017.
The centre span beams are 70m in length and weight 70 tonnes each. The beams are lifted in pairs, once placed there is a 10mm gap between the adjacent beams, the beams are bolted in place and the 10mm gap is then welded.
The crane being used to lift the beams stands at over 100m high on the north side and is one of the biggest cranes in Europe.
Weather dependant, the remaining 4 beams will be placed tomorrow and Wednesday.
There will be work in the river between July and September in order to complete the bridge.
All works connected with Inverness West Link phase 1 and the Canal Parks Enhancement works are running to schedule and are on programme to be completed during the winter of 2017, with the road scheduled to open in December.
Stage 2 of the West Link project will require the construction of alternative golf holes, and works cannot commence until these become playable. Stage 2 is programmed to commence in 2019 and will be completed in 2020 following the relocation of the golf course and building of a second swing bridge.
The West Link forms part of the Council's contribution to the City-Region Deal investment by partners, agreed in March 2016.
The Benefit to Cost Ratio of the West Link project is 3.86, which represents nearly £4 of benefit to every £1 of public investment.
The West Link will reduce congestion within Inverness City Centre and encourage cycling and walking by increased active travel links. Journey times will be improved for movements to/from the west of the City. It will enable the development of significant areas for housing and other economic development at Ness-side and Torvean.
