Star.pngStar.pngStar.pngStar grey.pngStar grey.png

Dalnaspidal Bridge

From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Dalnaspidal Bridge
Location Map ( geo)
Dalnaspidal-br1.jpg
Cameraicon.png View gallery (4)
From:  Blair Atholl
To:  Dalwhinnie
Location
Dalnaspidal
County
Perthshire
Highway Authority
Transport Scotland
Opening Date
1979
On road(s)
A9

The question is, is this structure a bridge or a culvert? And perhaps the answer is that it is both. The oldest part of the structure appears to be early 19th century, a single span stone arch across a rather small stream. It may be one of the bridges built by Thomas Telford as part of his commission on Highland Roads, or it may not.

At some point in the later 1920s, the bridge was widened on the northern side as part of the upgrade of the A9 that took place. Documentary evidence suggests that the widening was carried out by Owen Williams, or at least his company. Unfortunately, however, we will need to rely on old photographs (if any exist) to see what the widening looked like, as the bridge has since been widened again.

Underneath the modern A9

The final widening of this bridge took place when the A9 was again improved towards the end of the 20th Century. Whilst the crossing of the stream has been widened quite considerably, the old roadway no longer forms part of the A9. Instead, a very large culvert has been constructed, abutting directly onto the parapet and abutments of the 1920s widening, with the new road carried somehwat higher up a grassy embankment (complete with trees!). The old roadway has been retained to carry the NCN7 cycle route and access to some of the properties at Dalnaspidal. It makes a very surreal experience to cycle over a bridge which now more closely resembles a tunnel portal!

A9 dualling plans show that the A9 will be raised up with a lilo junction built for dalnaspidal. Looking at the plans the existing bridge will be retained and a new structure built for the A9




Dalnaspidal Bridge
Related Pictures
View gallery (4)
Dalnaspidal-br1.jpgDalnaspidal-br2.jpgDalnaspidal-br3.jpgDalnaspidal-br4.jpg
Crossings of the River Tay, and Tributaries
River TayKenmore Bridge • Aberfeldy Bridge • Grandtully Bridge • Pitnacree Bridge • Logierait Bridge • A9 Tay Bridge • Dunkeld Bridge • Caputh Bridge • Perth Bridge • Queens Bridge • Friarton Bridge • Tay Road Bridge
Fillan, Dochart & LochayWhite Bridge (Strathfillan) • Bridge of Dochart • Bridge of Lochay
River LyonBridge of Balgie • Bridge of Lyon • Comrie Bridge
River TummelKinloch Rannoch Bridge • Tummel Bridge • Coronation Bridge (Pitlochry) • Aldour Bridge • A9 Tummel Bridge • Ballinluig Bridge
River Garry and TributariesTrinafour Bridge  • Struan Bridge • Bruar Bridge • Dalnaspidal Bridge • Edendon Bridge • Allt Geallaidh Bridge • Dalnamein Bridge • Bridge of Tilt • A9 Garry Bridge • Garry Bridge


SABRE - The Society for All British and Irish Road Enthusiasts
Discuss - Digest - Discover - Help