Monday 21 Aug 2023
£12.6m bridge replacement at Shields Road due to start next week
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Shields Road on the southside of Glasgow will close to traffic from Monday next week (28 August) as part of a £12.6m bridge rebuild.
The project will see the bridge that carries Shields Road over the railway demolished and rebuilt by summer 2024.
When complete the bridge will be stronger, wider and better able to handle the size and volume of traffic that needs to travel over it.
Preliminary work will see the diversion of a range of utilities that cross the structure, followed by demolition of the existing bridge deck and repairs to bridge abutments.
Engineers will replace the bridge deck and utilities will be reconnected ahead of it fully reopening to traffic next year.
The works will remove the long-standing weight restrictions on the bridge, extending its lifespan for years to come.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager at Network Rail said: “We’re very grateful to those living near and those who use Shields Road for their feedback so far on the impact of this road closure.
“There is never an ideal time to close such a significant part of the road network and we also understand the impact that this will have on those living on the proposed diversion route.
“We’ll deliver this project, along with our contractors and with Glasgow City Council, with the minimum possible inconvenience for nearby residents and those who use Shields Road.
“Traffic diversions will be in place from 28 August and we will work closely with the council to observe and monitor use of the diversionary routes to ensure there is no adverse impact on the community.”
Notes to Editors
From 28 August 2023 until August 2024 Shields Road will close to all vehicles between St Andrew’s Drive and Scotland Street. Pedestrian access (and access for cyclists who dismount) will be maintained throughout via a temporary bridge which will be installed early in the project. Traffic diversions will be signposted from mid-August.
Although the physical work to demolish and reconstruct the bridge does not take 12 months, there is a prolonged period required to initially divert and then reinstate the various utilities which run through the structure. This work is essential to maintain supply of water, electricity, gas, broadband, etc. to the local community and time has to be factored into the programme to ensure this can happen.
The demolition and reconstruction of the bridge deck and abutments will see three weekend closures of the railway line in spring and summer 2024 as access will be required at track level. Information on rail services will be provided nearer to the time.
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