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Dunbeath Bridge

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Dunbeath Bridge
Location Map ( geo)
Dunbeath1.jpg
Cameraicon.png View gallery (18)
From:  Balcladich
To:  Dunbeath
County
Caithness
Highway Authority
Transport Scotland
Opening Date
1813, May 1990
Additional Information
Bridge Type:  Girder Bridge
Engineer:  Thomas Telford
On road(s)
A9

Route

Dunbeath was the last point on the A9 where the road had to fight the contours in a long descent and reascent. This time to cross the Dunbeath Water. The original road built by Telford still exists, winding its way down and up again, while the new road with a new approach alignment to the south, soars across the valley, barely even noticing the village beneath.

The Bridge

The new bridge at Dunbeath is more of a Viaduct like you would find carrying a Motorway, although the gradient is probably steeper than any motorway! There are five spans in total, supported by Steel Girders spanning between paired concrete legs. It is not just the gradient that is unusual, however, as the bridge is also built on a slight curve to fit the terrain and old alignments of the A9.

It opened on 23rd May 1990. It was 220m long and 25m high at the highest point and bypassed the low weight restricted bridge and the hairpin bends on Dunbeath Brae Road. A southward extension of the road bypassed Balnabruich. £3.7 million contract.

Telford's Bridge

The stone arch of Telford's old bridge still stand a little to the west of the new bridge, carrying a minor road which also passes under the new bridge. This bridge was built in 1809-13, so started after that at Helmsdale, and taking a little longer to construct. It is, however, slightly less ornate, with just a single span and simple parapets without moldings. The bridge also remains two-way, as footways have not been inserted on the deck.

Berriedale Braes

Looking south across the bends of Berriedale

The Berriedale Braes lie to the south of Dunbeath, just short of halfway back to Helmsdale. The steep valleys of the Langdale and Berriedale waters meet just 100m or so inland from the coast, creating an even steeper valley for the A9 to cross. For some strange reason, this valley has not been bridged like Helmsdale to the south or Dunbeath to the north, leaving sharp bends, a hairpin and steep hills on either side of Telford's little bridge.




Dunbeath Bridge
Related Pictures
View gallery (18)
Dunbeath2.jpgA9 Dunbeath - Coppermine - 19852.jpgA9 Berriedale Braes - Coppermine - 19851.jpgA9 Berriedale escape lane - Coppermine - 19848.jpgA9 Berriedale escape lane - Coppermine - 19847.jpg
Features of the A9 Corridor
North of Inverness
Kessock Bridge • Cromarty Bridge • Nigg Ferry • Dornoch Firth Bridge • Bonar Bridge • The Mound • Helmsdale • Dunbeath & Berriedale • Scrabster Ferry • Pentland Ferry
Crossings in the county of Caithness
River ThursoBridge of Westerdale • Halkirk Bridge • Thurso Bridge
River Wick & TributariesGreystones Bridge • Bridge of Bilbster • Wick Bridge
North Coast RiversBridge of Isauld • Bridge of Forss • Bridge of Westfield
East Coast RiversBridge of Freswick • Bridge of Wester • Bridge of Occumster • Bridge of Reisgill • Latheron Bridge • Latheronwheel Bridge • Dunbeath Bridge • Berriedale Bridge • Ousdale Bridge


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