Network Rail have successfully demolished and replaced the bridge over the railway at Lynebeg on the Highland Mainline between Perth and Inverness.
Work took place for 78 hours from Friday 26th November until the following Tuesday morning despite the impact of Storm Arwen.
The old bridge, an 1884 Victorian masonry structure was demolished and replaced with a 660ton twin-track concrete box structure.
A Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) system was used by the construction team to carry the structure from the site compound.
From here it was constructed offline over a 10-week period and manoeuvred along the B1954 where it was placed into its final position.
Two 750-ton cranes lifted seven concrete wingwalls into position.
The new bridge will strengthen, safeguard and futureproof the route for the long-term.
The bridge will be able to deal with the weight and volume of traffic which passes over it on a daily basis.
Minister for Transport Mr Graeme Dey visited the site of the new bridge and spoke on the importance of such work.
Mr Dey said: “The success of the Lynebeg rail bridge installation marks a significant milestone for the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project.
“[The new bridge is] the first tangible improvement to the transport infrastructure as part of the project’s advance works.
“Not only is this new structure safeguarding and improving connectivity on Scotland’s Highland Mainline, these works will help to deliver the ongoing A9 Dualling programme.
“[These works] will enhance the local infrastructure for the benefit of the surrounding communities.
“I would also like to thank all passengers whose travel plans were affected by these works and the local community for their patience during the construction of the new bridge.”
Billy McKay, Network Rail’s Programme Manager for the Lynebeg bridge replacement works elaborated further on the work.
Mr McKay said: “We are delighted that the work to replace the bridge at Lynebeg was completed successfully.
“The railway [has] re-opened to traffic as planned – despite terrible weather conditions and the impact of Storm Arwen.
“The installation was complex due to requirement to remove the existing railway infrastructure including cabling, track and the embankment.
“As well as upgrading the railway bridge, the team is delighted to have played a part in supporting the future dualling of the A9.”
Work is set to continue on the site for the next several weeks to complete the new structure.
