anyone help? the 14’0 arch bridge over the A85 (not the 13’9) connel bridge…was told today that this bridge is being altered and will no longer have a height restriction on it. anyone know if that is true? 
happysack:
anyone help? the 14’0 arch bridge over the A85 (not the 13’9) connel bridge…was told today that this bridge is being altered and will no longer have a height restriction on it. anyone know if that is true?
Dont know about any alterations due but I heard that the last time the road was resurfaced they dug down a good bit thus giving a bit more clearance. Been through recently at 14’ 9’’ with a wee bit to spare so it’s definately higher than the sign would suggest.
cheers, ill be heading upto oban in a couple of days with a 14’8 trailer on. ballache having to go round the long way, especially as im loading out of fort william after oban!
could you confirm if the bridge restriction east of connel has been raised
soldierboy049:
could you confirm if the bridge restriction east of connel has been raised
BUMP
this the one?
Connel Bridge
The Connel Bridge, or Connel Ferry Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. It was completed in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway, and lies about 6 miles north east of Oban on the A828, north of the A85.
Although it was originally built as a single track railway bridge, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line, in 1914. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. A toll was payable by road users.
This mode of operation continued until 1966, when the railway line was closed. With the rail service removed, the single track road was widened for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other and the bridge still operates as a one-way service controlled by traffic lights, with the remaining space devoted to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the time of its completion in 1903, the single-span structure was the second largest clear span in Europe, creating a steel cantilever bridge with a main span of some 500 feet, passing some 50 feet above the water. While the design pre-dates 1900, the appearance of the bridge is that of a much later item. The steel arches at each end of the bridge have been raised after being struck by overheight vehicles. The current height limit for vehicles using the bridge is 4.2 metres.
chaversdad:
this the one?Connel Bridge
The Connel Bridge, or Connel Ferry Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. It was completed in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway, and lies about 6 miles north east of Oban on the A828, north of the A85.Although it was originally built as a single track railway bridge, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line, in 1914. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. A toll was payable by road users.
This mode of operation continued until 1966, when the railway line was closed. With the rail service removed, the single track road was widened for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other and the bridge still operates as a one-way service controlled by traffic lights, with the remaining space devoted to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the time of its completion in 1903, the single-span structure was the second largest clear span in Europe, creating a steel cantilever bridge with a main span of some 500 feet, passing some 50 feet above the water. While the design pre-dates 1900, the appearance of the bridge is that of a much later item. The steel arches at each end of the bridge have been raised after being struck by overheight vehicles. The current height limit for vehicles using the bridge is 4.2 metres.
This brings back the memories.
Me and my ex lived and worked at the big caravan park a couple of miles north of the bridge between 2000 and 2004. We used to do a lot of scuba diving around the area and dived the Falls of Lora. Due to the vagaries of the tides, there are probably only a couple of days a year when you could safely guarantee true slack water. Most of the time the tide did what it wanted 
.
On one occasion we were sat in a dive boat under the bridge heading up Loch Etive. According to the instruments we were travelling at 30 knots. Because the spring tide was ebbing at full tilt, we were going slowly backwards!!
Good times, great place.
No still the same height ( both of them ) connel ( old rail br ) and Achnaloich ( arched one between connel and taynult ).
We were there when the bridge was painted for its’ centenary in 2003. The bridge was closed each night between 20.00 and 06.00 and the diversion signs went up. The painters had a 10 minute “amnesty” every hour to let traffic across but didn’t tell everyone.
Guess where the diversion went? 