Construction work on the £30 million Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme has moved into its main marine phase, five months after work began at Nether Lochaber and Ardgour.
The project, funded through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, includes £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from Highland Council. It is expected to take 18 months, with completion scheduled for summer 2027.
The scheme includes new slipways, an overnight berth, a breakwater and improvements to parking, vehicle marshalling and access at the crossing.
At Nether Lochaber, six foundation piles have been installed for the new vessel-alignment structure. Earthworks for parking and marshalling areas are well advanced, while part of the new A82 junction has opened without traffic signals.
Rock armour is being placed along the shoreline to reduce erosion, and dredging work has resumed.
At Ardgour, the underwater foundation for the new slipway has been completed and sheet piling is under way. A new foreshore retaining wall is largely finished, while the base and basement walls for a substation have also been constructed.
Dredged material from the marine work is being reused within the project, including as part of the new Ardgour slipway, to reduce waste and the amount of imported material required.
Marine Mammal Observers are present during offshore operations. Noise and vibration monitoring is also continuing, with work planned around tides where necessary.
Archaeological investigations were carried out near the existing Ardgour slipway before construction began. No artefacts were found.
Highland Council said increased activity, including barges and offshore construction, would make the work more visible and could cause disruption for residents and road users.
Monthly community liaison meetings are being held at Ardgour Memorial Hall.
The Corran Ferry service is continuing to operate during construction. Timetables, live queue cameras and service updates remain available through Highland Council and the ferry’s social-media accounts.
