Clachan Duich Bridge
Clachan Duich Bridge | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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From: | Shiel Bridge | ||
To: | Inverinate | ||
Location | |||
Kintail | |||
County | |||
Ross-shire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Transport Scotland | |||
Opening Date | |||
1972 | |||
Additional Information | |||
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On road(s) | |||
A87 | |||
Crossings related to the A87 | |||
Shiel Bridge (Kintail) • Uig - North Uist Ferry • Invergarry Bridge • Skye Bridge • Raasay Ferry • Glenelg - Kylerhea Ferry • Moriston Bridge • River Loyne Bridge • Eas-nan-Arm Bridge • Dornie Bridge • Sligachan Bridge • Mam Ratagan Pass • Allt a' Chaorainn Bhig Bridge • Malagan Bridge • Uig - Harris Ferry • Croe Bridge |
The Clachan Duich Bridge forms part of the Morvich Causeway across the head of Loch Duich in Kintail. It was built to divert the A87 away from the narrow roads and old Croe Bridge in Morvich itself.
The Causeway
The 0.4 mile Causeway at the head of Loch Duich takes traffic away from the small village of Morvich. The causeway curves from northeast to northwest before crossing the Clachan Duich Bridge at the northern end. The road lands beneath the ruined chapel that once served this part of Kintail.
The Causeway is constructed of large rocks piled into the water, or at least onto the beach at low tide! Smaller, looser material appears to have been used at the northern end, and the verges either side of the road are grassed, with some bushes. Barriers run the full length of the causeway on both sides of the road. It was opened in 1972.
Clachan Duich Bridge
The bridge across the River Croe in the Morvich Causeway is a three span concrete structure. There are angled abutments at either end around the stone base of the causeway.
Croe Bridge
The old Croe Bridge is still used by the local road through Morvich. It was originally built in 1815 by Thomas Telford as part of his Highland Roads. There are three wide arches across the river, making it one of the largest bridges Telford built on his road from Invermoriston to Lochalsh.
History
The contract for the reconstruction of the section from Shiel Bridge to Inverinate was awarded in August 1970 and was expected to be opened by mid 1972. It was completed in 1972 per the 1972 Scottish Development Department Report. The improvement scheme was 1.92 miles and included the construction of a 0.4 mile long causeway across the head of Loch Duich with bridges over Allt a Chruinn and the River Croe and associated improvements near Kintail Lodge and Inverinate. It removed the need for a 2.5 mile detour around the head of the Loch at Morvich. Contractor was William Briggs Construction of Dundee, contract price £440,000. It completed the reconstruction of A87 to S2 over the 50 mile length from Kyle of Lochalsh to Invergarry.
Clachan Duich Bridge | ||
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