Two historic railway bridges located near Glasgow Central Station have been given a new lease of life following a £1.5 million refurbishment project.

The Eglinton Street and Salkeld Street structures, both dating back 140 years, have been transformed from a state of deterioration to dependable infrastructure after six months of work carried out by Network Rail.

The essential repairs included a process known as 'rivet busting' to remove and replace the rivets that hold the steel components of the bridges together, alongside other necessary steelwork repairs. Engineers also completed 'ballast retention' work, which involves securing the stones that support the railway tracks to prevent them from falling away from the bridge structures. Following the structural work, both bridges received a partial repaint to enhance their appearance.

-- Advertisement --

Christina Thomson, scheme project manager at Network Rail, emphasised the importance of the project. “The bridges form part of key routes in and out of Glasgow, including the West Coast Main Line, so it's important we do all we can to ensure their longevity," she said. "Not only has the work significantly improved their appearance, but it has extended their lifespan by at least 20 years.

“Maintaining old rail bridges is crucial because it preserves our heritage, reduces environmental impact, and is often more cost-effective than building new structures. We know well-maintained bridges can continue to serve their purpose safely and efficiently for many more years."

Network Rail collaborated with principal contractor Story to deliver the refurbishment works.

This project is part of a broader bridge modernisation programme aimed at safeguarding and enhancing Scotland’s Railway, with an investment of nearly £2 billion allocated over the next five years to boost reliability and improve overall performance. This includes a multi-million-pound programme of bridge improvements around Glasgow city centre, encompassing structures at Cumberland Street, Gorbals Street, Nelson Street, Clyde Viaduct (Glasgow Central), Saltmarket, and Bell Street. These works are intended to improve the resilience of these crucial rail connections as well as the visual appeal of these prominent elements of the city's infrastructure.