NETWORK Rail has completed the first phase of a £2.5 million project to improve three railway bridges in Glasgow’s west end.
The work on the Ferry Road underbridge (£445,000), Yorkhill Viaduct (£709,000), and Kelvin Viaduct (£1,300,000) comes as part of a structural modernisation programme to improve and protect the railway.
Phase one of the project focused on the Ferry Road bridge, with engineers cleaning, repairing, and repainting the crossing in Yorkhill over the last three months. Old paint was grit-blasted from the steel structure so that its condition could be examined in detail followed by repairs on the metal and stonework.
The structure was then repainted and further work will now be carried out to the two adjoining bridges, including the structure carrying the railway over the River Kelvin – the busiest section of railway in Scotland.
Amanda Naughton, Network Rail’s project manager for the viaduct work, said, “We’re really pleased to have completed the work on the Ferry Road bridge. Importantly, this was finished on time and our contractors can now move to the next stage of the refurbishment.
“Repairing and repainting these bridges will extend their lifespan and help us to continue to run a safe and reliable railway over one of the busiest and most visible sections of track in Scotland.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding from those living nearby while we carry out this important work.”
The three bridges, visible from the Clydeside Expressway, are around 120-years-old and carry trains on both the Argyle and north Clyde Lines to and from Partick Railway Station. This section of railway sees around 28 trains per hour at peak time, making it one of the busiest in Scotland.
