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Monday morning motorists will be welcoming the reopening of Cow Lane after the first phase of widening work.

The thoroughfare has been closed since mid-December, when Network Rail started work to remove and replace the southern bridge and lay a new road under the structure. The demolition of the old narrow barrel arch at Christmas has paved the way for a two lane highway, with a pedestrian footpath.

Work to the northern Cow Lane bridge will finish in 2015, as it cannot be completed until the tracks above it are moved on to the new viaduct. At this point, motorists will feel the full benefit of the project, including a further reduction of congestion and double-decker buses allowed on the route.

The railway above Cow Lane was closed to trains on Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day a huge, 66-axle transporter lifted the 1,600 tonne bridge into place. Work finished on schedule with freight trains able to run again on 27th December.

Bill Henry, Network Rail’s programme director for the improvements at Reading, said: “Since Christmas our team has been working hard, along with our partners Reading Borough Council, to re-model the drainage system under the bridge, complete the embankment works, clad the structure with bricks to enhance its appearance and provide a new road surface.

“We’re very thankful to the patience of local residents and commuters who bore with us while we finished off this very important phase of our works. This is only the first step in widening Cow Lane and just one part of a huge project which will see an improved train service in Reading, as well as a fully upgraded station.”

Motorists will also be able to see the extensive work that has also been done to the north bridge during the last month. A new deck has been installed which will allow work to continue in the area without any need to close the road again.

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “The huge amount of works on-going in and around the station will be obvious to everyone. However, for Reading’s residents the widening of the bridge at Cow Lane is an important landmark, particularly residents who live in the area or pass through it. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will all benefit and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while the works took place.”