Shotts road reopens following £2m rail bridge reconstruction

Wednesday 16 Aug 2017

Shotts road reopens following £2m rail bridge reconstruction

Region & Route:: Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Station Road in Shotts re-opened on Tuesday, August 15, following the on time on budget completion of an 11 month programme to demolish and rebuild the bridge over the railway.

The reconstruction of the bridge represents an investment of £2.25m in the infrastructure and was one of 17 projects needed to increase the height between the railway track and bridges on the route ahead of the electrification of the Shotts line by March 2019.

Part of the Scottish Government’s rolling programme of electrification across central Scotland, the £160m investment to upgrade and electrify the Shotts line is being delivered by Network Rail.

The demolition of the bridge on Station Road and its reconstruction was one of the largest and most complicated projects in the route clearance programme.

Before the physical work to demolish and reconstruct the bridge could even begin, a prolonged period of closure was required to divert and then reinstate the various utilities which run over the structure. This work was essential to maintain supply of water, electricity, gas and broadband to the town and additional time had to be factored into the construction programme to ensure this happened.

The work involved demolishing two adjacent bridge structures and building a new bridge with more height clearance between the rails and bridge for the overhead line electrification cables to run safely underneath

After demolishing the two adjoining structures, 2200 tonnes or material was removed from site. The new bridge has extended abutments and is formed by portal units installed by lifting 45 pre-cast units – one of which was 47.5 tonnes - into place using a 750t crane.

Iain McFarlane delivery director for Infrastructure projects, said: “Completing the work at Station Road in Shotts marks a significant step towards being able to safely run the overhead power cables ahead of the electrification of the line by March 2019.

“It was among the longest and most challenging bridge clearance projects we have in the programme and its location added to the complexity of delivering the work. Credit goes to the project team and contractors Bam Nuttall who have delivered this challenging project safely and efficiently and on time.

“We appreciate there was disruption in the town as a result of this work as the road was closed for a long period – but we thank the Shotts community for their patience as we delivered this important strategic investment in Scotland’s railway.”

For further information on the work to electrify the Shotts line email shottslineelectrification@networkrail.co.uk or follow on twitter @ShottsLineElec

-ends-

Notes to Editors

Notes to Editors

Network Rail with contractor BamNuttal were on site for 11 months to replace the bridge over the railway at Station Road, Shotts. This is part of wider work on the Shotts line ahead of the electrification of the route by 2019. This project is part of a £160m Scottish Government programme of electrification which is being delivered by Network Rail.

The works involved demolishing two adjacent bridge structures and building a new bridge with more height clearance between the rails and bridge for the overhead line electrification cables to run safely underneath

A diversion was in place throughout road closure and road side information signs were in place to highlight road closure.

Pedestrian access was maintained via a temporary bridge.

Bridge in numbers

During work a 36m span - 33 tonne temporary bridge carried diverted utilities as well as providing pedestrian access throughout. The bridge itself required 680 cubic metres of concrete as well as ducting and drainage in the deck before the carriageway and road furniture was reinstated.

Reconstruction delivered an additional 50cm of height clearance between the track level and the bridge deck to enable the 25,000v overhead electrification cables to be run safely under the structure.

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