The banks of the river Spean are connected again after Alvance British Aluminium reopened Monessie Suspension Bridge on Wednesday November 22.
Working with its sister company, JAHAMA Highland Estates Alvance have been working to repair this complex bridge structure which required significant investment in improvements.
After months of hard work and investment of approximately £126,000 the bridge is once more open to the public.
After a survey report recommended its closure for further structural investigations, the company collaborated with experts Beaver Bridges Ltd, residents and businesses to restore this beloved bridge.
The formal opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Spean Bridge Community Council, local businesses and Lochaber Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Uppington, managing director of Alvance British Aluminium, hydro engineer and project manager Peter Dodds and Nicola Hogg, local hostel and bunkhouse owner), were given the honour of cutting the ribbon.
Tom Uppington said: “We are thrilled to re-open the Monessie Suspension Bridge. Our engineering and hydro teams deserve special recognition for their exceptional dedication and skill in completing this challenging project suspended 20m over the Spean gorge. A special shout out to James Rosie CEng MIET, our Senior Electrical Engineer, who rocked the bagpipes and the kilt for the occasion.”
Photograph: Managing director of Alvance British Aluminium Tom Uppington cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Monessie Bridge. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F48_MonessieBridgeOpening_23_01