Network Rail has announced that work to construct the new bridge over the railway at Nithsdale Road in Glasgow's Southside is now underway following successful demolition of the old structure.

The project, part of the Glasgow-Barrhead electrification works, will see a new bridge deck constructed higher over the railway to enable overhead electrification wires to run safely beneath the structure.

The bridge demolition is the latest phase of work within the Barrhead to Glasgow electrification project and is part of wider plans to decarbonise passenger services on Scotland's railway by 2035.

Working over two successive weekends while the railway was closed for 53 hours, contractors Bam Nuttall on behalf of Network Rail worked continuously to demolish and clear the old bridge before craning into place the first elements of the new structure.

Over the first weekend, 1,100 tonnes(t) of spoil, including seven wrought iron girders, were removed from the railway bridge using a 500t crane. The masonry brick work from the structure will be recycled and reused as cladding.

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Over the second weekend, four concrete pre-cast cil units were craned into position on the abutments of the former structure using a 750t crane. These provide the additional height clearance needed for the electrification wires to run safely under what will also be a thinner bridge deck.

As work continues with the bridge and other elements of the electrification project, pedestrian access over the railway will continue via the nearby footbridge between Moray Place and Darnley Road, with temporary ramps fitted to allow step free access.

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."

In addition to the main bridge works, the team took the opportunity to maximise the value of the railway closure by demolishing a smaller structure at Kennishead Road near Darnley and installing an under-track crossing to carry diverted power cables.