Network Rail has completed its £1.6 million project to complete essential work on Rannoch viaduct in the Scottish Highlands.
Work to extend the structure’s operational lifespan took place during a nine-day closure of the line, from Saturday 16th March to Monday 25th March.
The investment is part of a package to enhance the safety and reliability of the railway for years to come.
Work included:
- Replacing 50 longitudinal timbers which support the rail going over the 208 metre steel bridge. The softwood timbers are life expired and now need to be replaced
- Renewing the timbers with hardwood and replacing the existing baseplates and rail
- Replacing rail throughout the structure
Zoe Monkhouse, Network Rail’s project manager for the Rannoch viaduct project, said: “Our team has worked around-the-clock to deliver this project safely and efficiently and to get the line re-opened for passengers as planned.
“This investment will extend the lifespan of the structure, improving the long-term reliability of the line, and we are pleased to have completed the work on time.
During the line closure, Network Rail also renewed several sections of track between Roy Bridge and Tyndrum and between Arisaig and Spean Bridge.
Engineers also modernised the railway signalling system in and on the approaches to Fort William station and within the signal box, by moving some signalling posts and upgrading the signalling lights to LED.
Image credit: Network Rail
