Scotland's Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, has installed the final pandrol clip to mark the completion of track laying on the Levenmouth Rail Link project.
The £116m Scottish Government-funded project will reconnect Levenmouth, in Fife, to the passenger rail network for the first time in more than 50 years.
The 19 kilometres of track, laid over a number of phases since March 2022, connects Leven to Thornton Junction on the East Coast Mainline.
The project also includes repairs to existing bridges, and the construction of two new stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven.
Since the beginning of the work, 80,000 tonnes of spoil removed along with installing 29,000 sleepers and 35km of rail in 165, 215metre-long sections. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the project will also see preparatory work to enable the future electrification of the line as part of wider ambitions to decarbonise Scotland's railway.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Hyslop said: "It is fantastic to be here today to mark the completion of track laying on the Levenmouth Rail Link. This is a significant milestone in the delivery of this important project, which will reconnect Levenmouth to the railway for the first time in over 50 years.
"I would like to thank the team on the ground who have worked tirelessly to make this happen, and I am confident that the new line will bring significant benefits to the local community, including improved connectivity, economic growth, and reduced carbon emissions."
Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway, said: "The completion of track laying is a major step forward for the Levenmouth Rail Link project. It is great to see the progress that has been made, and I am confident that the new line will be a valuable asset to the local community."
Improved connectivity for Scotland
The Levenmouth Rail Link is expected to bring a number of benefits to the local area, including:
- Improved connectivity: The new line will provide a direct rail link between Levenmouth and Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other major cities in Scotland.
- Economic growth: The new line is expected to support economic growth in the local area by making it easier for businesses to access markets and for people to travel to work.
- Reduced carbon emissions: The new line will provide a low-carbon alternative to car travel, helping to reduce the area's carbon emissions.
The project is being delivered by Network Rail on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Image Credit: Network Rail
