Major improvements to the Forth Viaduct in Stirling have been completed successfully, and have extended its lifespan and ensured that work on this scale will not be required for another 25 years.

The Forth Viaduct is 10-metres high and crosses the River Forth near Cambuskenneth in Stirling. Work on the bridge started last January, when scaffolding was erected along a 20 metre span of the bridge, so that it could be encapsulated in order that critical steelwork repairs could take place, including the removal and replacement of 300 steel rivets.

Further work included removing old paint and rust by grit blasting, using over 100 tonnes of grit. The metalwork was then completely repainted with over 4500m2 of paint, which used 3000 litres of paint. To complete the blasting and painting operations took over 6000 hours.

Whilst the work was going on, a new permanent walkway was installed through the structure which provides Network Rail engineers with access to undertake general maintenance to the viaduct when required. Now that the work is complete Lovers Walk, which had been closed to traffic throughout the project, has fully reopened.

The project was delivered by Story Contracting on behalf of Network Rail and is part of a major bridge modernisation programme designed to protect and improve Scotland‘s Railway. Over £4 billion is being invested to increase reliability and improve performance.

Allison Flanagan, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “This work is part of a wider, rolling programme of renewals and improvements that are essential in allowing Network Rail to run a safe and reliable railway for passengers and freight customers.

“The Forth Viaduct was one of our more challenging projects given it spans a river. However, we are well versed is tasks of this nature, delivering time and again improvements that help protect our vital assets for years to come, as we won’t need to re-paint the viaduct for at least another to two decades.

“I would like to thank the community for their patience during delivery of the work, which for safety reasons also meant having a road closure and traffic management in place throughout. We’re very appreciative of their understanding.”

Further information about this work can be obtained from Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41, whilst the latest information and progress updates are on Twitter @NetworkRailScot or at www.scotlandsrailway.com