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Friday 31 Aug 2018

Railway bridge completion reconnects Glasgow communities

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Springkell Avenue has re-opened following completion of a multi-million pound project to demolish and rebuild the bridge over the railway near Maxwell Park station in Glasgow.

The £2m investment by Network Rail has seen the old bridge demolished and rebuilt stronger and in line with modern standards for an electrified railway with a finish in keeping with the local conservation area.

The redevelopment was needed due to the age and deteriorating condition of the old structure.

Demolition and initial reconstruction on the bridge took place over a 54-hour weekend closure of the railway in June following work to modify the overhead line electrification and to divert a range of utilities off of the bridge and onto a temporary structure.   Initially scheduled for demolition in March, the work had to be postponed due to the impact of the ‘Beast from the East’ spell of freezing weather.

With the work back on track following the demolition in June, the bridge abutments were renewed and strengthened before 16 bridge deck beams and 25 parapet units were craned in over a series of nights while the railway wasn’t running.

When planning this type of work, Network Rail explores every possible option to minimise disruption to the local road network and on the local community.  The eight-month full road closure while longer than anticipated was a consequence of the impact of severe winter weather hitting at the most critical point of the programme; the demolition of the old bridge.

While much of the bridge construction work was completed in a relatively short period, part of the reason for requiring a longer road closure was to firstly divert, then re-connect the significant number of different services supplied to the community over the bridge by the various utility providers.

Jeremy Spence, Network Rail’s programme manager, said: “It is fantastic that the work on the bridge over the railway at Springkell Avenue is now complete and the road can be re-opened.

“The reconstructed bridge delivers a stronger and more robust structure which better serves the community and the railway as it is now compliant with modern safety standards for an electrified railway.   It also looks great and is firmly in keeping with the surroundings.

“While we understand that the road closure was disruptive for local people in the short term, the re-opening of the road will see the community again enjoy the benefits of the improved bridge which will stand them in good stead for many years to come.

“We thank everyone for their patience while we carried out this important work.”