Bam Nuttall has completed work on a £2.25 million rail bridge reconstruction project in North Lanarkshire.

The scheme on Station Road in Shotts was one of 17 projects carried out to increase the height between the railway track and bridges on Shotts line, ahead of the routes electrification by March 2019.

The 11-month programme 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.

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After demolition work was completed, 2,200 tonnes of material was removed from the 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 750 tonne crane.

Before main construction took place, work was carried out to divert and reinstate various utilities which run over the structure, such as water supplies, electricity, gas and broadband to the town.

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."

(LM)