New Naver Bridge on A836 section of North Coast 500 in Sutherland expected to reopen to public by summer 2026
Highland Council has announced that a multimillion-pound infrastructure project on Sutherland’s North Coast 500 (NC500) tourist route has reached a major milestone.
Work to replace the 143-year-old Naver Bridge, which carries the main A836 Tongue to Thurso road over the River Naver, south of Bettyhill, began in August last year.
The contract was awarded to Motherwall-based Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd.
The new 65m long prestressed concrete bridge is being constructed immediately upstream of the existing bridge, and work includes the realignment of the approach road.
The bridge is considered a vital transport link, as the only alternative route is a 64-mile detour via Strathnaver and Strath Halladale.
A Highland Council spokesperson said that all the work required to be done within the river itself has now been completed, including all the piling work for the bridge foundations.
All equipment associated with the piling works, including the piling rig and support cranes, has now been removed from the site.
The spokesperson added that this milestone was achieved thanks to the “unwavering support” of all stakeholders, particularly the River Naver Fisheries and the Naver District Salmon Fisheries Board.
These organisations worked alongside the project team to support the scheme and complete the in-river work.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of the economy and infrastructure committee, said: “I am delighted to see progress on this vital transport link =- a major north coast project which demonstrates our commitment to improving the infrastructure in rural Highland areas.
According to the local authority, the next phase of the £11.5 million project involves constructing the bridge abutments and piers, diverting utilities, building the road and carrying out landscaping works.
The scheme will provide a total of 450m of new single-carriageway road.
It is hoped that the new bridge will open to traffic in summer 2026.
Demolition of the historic structure, a single-track wrought iron plate girder bridge, is scheduled to take place in November 2026, and the entire project is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The spokesperson said: “Highland Council appreciates the impact these works are having on the local community and North Coast 500 traffic, particularly as we approach the busier summer months.
The works will be managed with a view to causing as little disruption as possible.
Opened in 1881 by the Duke of Sutherland, the existing Naver Bridge has long been a cause for concern due to its corroded metalwork, broken tar and crumbling stonework.
