A828
| A828 | ||||||||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||
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| From: | Ballachulish (NN056592) | |||||||||
| To: | Connel (NM908342) | |||||||||
| Distance: | 26 miles (41.8 km) | |||||||||
| Meets: | A82, B845, A85 | |||||||||
| Old route now: | A82 | |||||||||
| Highway Authorities | ||||||||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||||||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||||||||
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Contents
Introduction
The A828 is an important link between Fort William and Oban on the west coast of Scotland, even if it doesn't actually reach either town. It runs from the Ballachulish Roundabout on the A82 in the north, to Connel on the A85 in the south, and is characterized by long fast straights with stunning lochside views.
Due to the nature of the terrain, there are three significant lochs that need to be spanned, the first is Loch Leven, crossed by the A82, the second is Loch Crearan, crossed by the Creagan Bridge, and the third Loch Etive, crossed by the iconic Connel Bridge. Uniquely this means that the A828 passes under the A82 at its northern end, and over the A85 at the southern!
The height limit for the Connel Bridge's superstructure is advertised on the A85 and the A82, in the latter case 24 miles from the actual restriction.
Route
The modern route of the A828 is a stunning drive through some magnificent scenery, with the shore never far away. Long straights, fast bends and then tight sections through the villages of Duror, Appin and Benderloch, the A828 has a bit of everything for a memorable drive.
History
Since the closure of the Connel - Ballachulish Railway line, much of the A828 has been upgraded, often by utilising the old trackbed. In the last 3 years, further work has seen the remnants of the railway line, and old road converted into a new cycle route although work is still ongoing.
The Bridges
Creagan Bridge
The Creagan Bridge, like the Connel Bridge, was originally designed for a railway line. However, in 1999 the deck was replaced with a modern structure to carry a two-way road, and so eliminate the 6-mile detour around the head of Loch Creran.
Connel Bridge
The iconic Connel Bridge carries the A828 across the narrows at the mouth of Loch Etive. Originally designed for trains, the bridge now has to cope with 21st Century traffic, but despite everything it still stands firm! Due to the bridge's superstructure, there is a height limit of 4.2m/13'9"
Videos
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This page was a candidate for Article of the Month September 2009 | ||
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