New £2.1m Greenhill bridges open ahead of schedule
MSP for Falkirk West, Michael Matheson, joined Rodger Querns, Programme Director of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), on Monday 24th August to officially open the new bridges at Greenhill Road in Bonnybridge – more than a month early.
Originally planned to re-open at the end of September, the two bridges have been renewed as part of the Scottish Government-funded £742m project to electrify central Scotland’s rail network. The £2.1m investment in the bridges has created enough height clearance above the rails to run overhead electrification cables safely below the bridges.
The opening of the bridges marks the completion of 52 structures to date as part of EGIP and represents another significant milestone after the successful completion of work at Winchburgh Tunnel, near Linlithgow, last month.
Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, said: “The electrification of central Scotland’s railway is a genuinely transformational investment in our infrastructure that will lead to faster journeys on quieter, cleaner, greener trains.
“While it is inevitable that this type of investment cannot be delivered without some disruption, it is excellent for the local residents living near the bridges and those who use Greenhill Road that this work has been delivered ahead of schedule.”
Rodger Querns, Programme Director for EGIP, added: “This is a great achievement by the team at Greenhill to get the work completed ahead of schedule. It is the first time on the project that we have demolished and reconstructed two adjoining bridges simultaneously and it’s credit to all concerned that its gone so well.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their cooperation and patience as we delivered this important investment in the railway.”
EGIP is delivering a rolling programme of electrification across the central belt – reducing journey times and boosting capacity on routes including the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) line.
Representatives from Falkirk Council, British Transport Police and the Greenhill Historical Society as well as members of the local community were also present at the opening.