The Stevenson Bridge

So much is said and posted about the Category A listed 500 year old “Old Bridge” that no one tends to think about the other one! It is known locally by the name “The Stevenson Bridge”. It is Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland and is referred to on their website as “Stirling New Bridge”.

The design of the bridge was carried out by Robert Stevenson 1772-1850 in 1829. The Contractor, Kenneth Mathieson constructed the bridge which was completed and opened to vehicular traffic in 1832.

Historic Environment Scotland describes the Bridge as “5 segmental Arches, bull faced ashlar.”

The Stevenson Bridge, which carries the A9 Causewayhead Road over the River Forth is a key transport route.

In the Stirling News in 2020 Rajmund Bakonyl reported that the bridge parapets required to be fully replaced to maintain structural integrity – the temporary closure of the bridge at that time, July 19th, was planned as part of a major refurbishment project.

Temporary vehicle safety barriers were put in place on the bridge due to the condition of the parapets and these were to remain in place until the refurbishment works were complete. Barriers run along the full roadside stretch of the bridge without restricting lane width or vehicle movement.

On 8th May 2026 BBC News reported: –

The urgency of the work is being blamed on repeated burst water pipes, buried within the bridge’s structure, that have caused deterioration of its sandstone slabs.

Stirling Council said all necessary work to ensure the structure could continue to support the A9 would take “several years”. It added that unless the work was done the bridge would “no longer be able to function fully as a main road”.

Councillor Jim Thomson said that although there was “no right time” to carry out the repair work, a drop in traffic volumes because of the school holidays meant June was an opportune time.

He added: “The communities of Cornton, Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan will be most affected by the southbound lane closure.

“However, with the timed warnings of the traffic restrictions, I am sure local people and visitors to the city will make their travel plans fit around the bridge works, allowing themselves extra time to make their journey…”