Daviot Bridge
Daviot Bridge | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
| |||
From: | Tomatin | ||
To: | Inverness | ||
Location | |||
Daviot | |||
County | |||
Inverness-shire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Transport Scotland | |||
Opening Date | |||
1800s 1979 | |||
On road(s) | |||
A9 • B9154 | |||
Daviot Bridge carries the A9 across the River Nairn to the south of Inverness. The modern bridge is a single span dual-carriageway structure supported by girders. However, immediately downstream the old bridge still stands. This carried the A9 before the new route was constructed, and saw the road turn sharply across the bridge to double back on the opposite side of the valley along what is now the B9154.
The old bridge is a single span stone arch, built on a slight curve as it crosses the river. Whilst its date is not currently certain, it appears to be 19th century, and so may well have been constructed by Thomas Telfords team when he rebuilt the route as part of his commission on Highland roads and bridges. A more modern concrete/steel rail parapet has been added at some point, although the northern one has since disappeared once more!
Junction
Strangely, when the A9 was dualled here, a new junction for the B9154 was constructed on the south side of the new bridge, rendering the old bridge defunct. It is still standing and surfaced, but runs into the banking for the new A9 at the western end. Its only remaining purpose appears to be to provide fishermen with access to the riverbank! The change in levels is part of the reason why the junction did not use the old bridge, but also the restrictions of space that the bridge would have given.
As a result, the B9154 now stays on the south bank of the river, and meets the A9 to the south of the new bridge. There is a central reservation gap in the middle of the A9 to allow for right turns, with a lengthy right turn lane from the northbound carriageway. This is despite the fact that much of the traffic that could turn right here may have turned right at the other end of the B9154 at Moy. With the current works on the A9 and the drive to eradicate central reservation gaps, it is possible that this junction may be changed in the future, although there are no plans currently known about.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
Inverness | ||
Perth | ||
Moy, Daviot (East) | Former A9 |