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Network Rail has announced that the railway line between Inverness and Aberdeen has now reopened following the successful completion of eleven days of work on the Inverness Airport station programme.
Engineers worked around the clock to deliver extensive work between Inverness and Nairn as part of the wider programme of enhancements being delivered around the station development.
As well as work to significantly progress the new station, engineers delivered a 950m passing loop – effectively double-tracking through the station, installed three sets of points and renewed nearly 7km of rail adjacent to the site using 2.900 sleepers and 10,000 tonnes of ballast.
A new modular signalling system was also introduced through the area which saw the installation of 10 new signals and the first-use of 'fibre' cables for signalling. In all more than 30km of signalling cable and 7km of power cable was run during the work.
The line closure also saw the completion of a new pedestrian access bridge which will enable the closure of the level crossing at Petty and the nearby pedestrian level crossing at Woodend. This will enhance both the safety of the railway
This work could not be delivered while the railway remained open and given the length of time required to complete specific elements, the activity has been scheduled for this time to minimise the disruption to the travelling public.
Billy McKay, Network Rail Scotland's programme manager for the Inverness project said: "We are delighted that the work during the blockade has been successfully completed and that the line has been reopened for passengers.
"The volume of work delivered on site over the eleven-day programme meant planning and coordination was key and I am delighted that the work was carried out safely and efficiently is credit to the skill and expertise of the contractors involved.
"Thank you to passengers for their patience during this work and hope that they begin to see and experience the benefits the investment in the railway is delivering."
