Network Rail has selected the contractors that will deliver the main engineering works on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

The firm has chosen Costain and Morgan Sindall to deliver the works.

The £250m deal will see Network Rail and its contractors electrify the main line between Scotland's two largest cities, as well as complete route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel, rail infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley stations. Platforms at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow will also be extended under the scheme.

In January, both firms were awarded a £5m design contract to develop the detailed scope, programme and target price. It is part of the wider £742m EGIP scheme.

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Network Rail has said it will complete the main Edinburgh-Glasgow electrification works in 2016, with this phase of the programme being complemented by the construction of the new Edinburgh Gateway Interchange station at Gogar, and the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street station.

Piling works, to create the foundations needed to erect the overhead power lines, started earlier this week and are due to be completed by summer 2015.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This £250million contract marks a significant milestone in the EGIP project, which will provide 20% quicker journey times, 30% more capacity and a complete overhaul of stations in both cities, with the new-look Haymarket station already completed on time and under budget and the planned transformation of Queen Street station into a 21st century transport hub."

Rodger Querns, Network Rail programme director for EGIP, added: "EGIP is a unique chance to modernise and enhance our railway and transform rail services across the central belt. It is transformational in its scope and scale and will herald a step-change in the nature of our railway infrastructure, its resilience and reliability.

"The alliancing structure being used to deliver the electrification works will allow us to increase efficiency within the programme and deliver best value for money for the Government and taxpayer."

(JP/IT)