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Monday 22 May 2017

A8 contraflow enables Cutty Sark bridge refurbishment

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail engineers will soon begin work to repair and strengthen the iconic ‘Cutty Sark’ railway bridge.

There will be a contraflow in place on the A8 near the showcase cinema for 20 weeks from Monday 5^th June while the refurbishment of the bridge takes place.

 

The project is part of a wider, rolling programme of maintenance on our structures which is designed to extend their lifespan and keep our railway network safe and reliable. 

Work on the bridge, includes strengthening the main girders and bridge deck, blast cleaning and repairing the metalwork, applying corrosion protection to steelwork, painting the entire bridge, repairing masonry and clearing adjacent vegetation.

To deliver this work safely and efficiently, a contraflow will be in place on the A8 for a period of 20 weeks between the new A8/A89 roundabout and Bargeddie junction (A752).  

Network Rail has brought forward its plan to refurbish the structure to earlier than anticipated and liaised with Transport Scotland and Scottish Roads Partnership who are coordinating  improvement works on the A8/M8 corridor in order to reduce overall disruption to the road network. 

Billy McKay, Network Rail programme manager, said: “We understand that this will be inconvenient for road users which is why we have worked with the Scottish Roads Partnership to deliver our programme at a time where there is other planned work on the A8 in order to minimise disruption.

“Delivering this work, in 20 weeks is a logistical challenge but we have planned the job carefully with our contractors and will complete it with the minimum possible inconvenience.

“We are sure the refurbishment of this widely recognised landmark structure will be welcomed by the many people who have driven under it, or travelled over it by rail.

Graeme Reid, Project Manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project said: “The opening of the new M8 motorway in April has significantly reduced traffic flow on the A8 allowing these essential Network Rail works to be undertaken.

“While the contraflow is in place, Scottish Roads Partnership will take the opportunity to undertake resurfacing of the newly aligned A8 and Transport Scotland and Scottish Roads Partnership have worked in close collaboration with Network Rail to coordinate these works and minimise the overall impact on road users. 

 “It is an excellent example of joining up very different work programmes to deliver the maximum amount of activity while traffic management is in place on the road.

The refurbishment of this well-known railway bridge will also contribute to the significant improvements being undertaken in this area as part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project .”

If you have any questions about this work you can contact Network Rail’s 24 hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.  For latest information and progress updates follow on twitter @NetworkRailScot