Dalnaspidal Bridge
Dalnaspidal Bridge | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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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.
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 | ||||||||||
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