A new bridge is being constructed over the Glasgow–Barrhead railway line at Nithsdale Road in Glasgow’s Southside following the demolition of the old structure.

The new bridge is required because overhead electric wires to be installed as part of the Glasgow-Barrhead electrification require a higher clearance under the bridge than the old one provided. The electrification of the line is part of wider plans to decarbonise passenger services on railways in Scotland railway by 2035.

While the bridge was being replaced, the railway was closed for 53 hours. Network Rail‘s contractors Bam Nuttall worked continuously over two successive weekends to demolish the old bridge, clear the debris away, then crane the first parts of the new bridge into position.

Over the first weekend, a 500t crane removed 1,100t of spoil, which included seven wrought iron girders, from the old bridge. Masonry brickwork from the structure will be recycled and reused as cladding.

Over the second weekend, a 750t crane craned four concrete pre-cast cil units into place on the abutments of the old bridge. These will provide the extra height clearance required for the overhead electric wires to run safely under what will be a thinner bridge deck.

During the line’s closure, a smaller bridge at Kennishead Road near Darnley was demolished and an under-track crossing for carrying diverted power cables was installed.

Although work on the bridge and other parts of the electrification project is still continuing, pedestrian access over the railway will be maintained via a nearby footbridge between Moray Place and Darnley Road; step-free access will be provided by fitting temporary ramps.

Further work in Glasgow includes a 12-month programme of work on the rail bridge spanning the A8 road at Saltmarket, near Glasgow Cross, a £700,000 refurbishment of a railway bridge on Bell Street in Glasgow’s east end, and two bridges on Queen Mary Avenue and Albert Road, next to Crosshill station

Allan Wilson, Network Rail’s project manager for the Glasgow-Barrhead electrification said:

“Successful demolition of the Nithsdale Road bridge removes a key blocker to the installation of the overhead wires that will enable the electrification of the line to Barrhead by December 2023.

“Closing the railway for consecutive weekends was the most efficient way to remove the structure and then to make good progress in the first stages of the construction of the new bridge by installing cil units on the abutments and the pre-cast beams which will form the framework of the new bridge deck.

“We will have the new deck in place in September and then will begin the process of reconnecting the utilities across the structure with a view to having completed the work and opening the new bridge in January next year.

“We are grateful to the local community and road users for their patience and cooperation during this work.”