Major bridge renewal works to start in Killiecrankie

Network Rail is about to start a £3 million project to Rannoch Road bridge (off the B8079) in Killiecrankie.

Residents and businesses in the area are being invited to a community drop-in event at Killiecrankie Village Hall on Tuesday 20 August, from 4pm to 7pm , to ask any questions about the work taking place.

The six-month programme, from Monday 02 September 2024 until March 2025, involves replacing the existing bridge deck to keep the railway running safely and reliably.

Engineers will also make alterations to the bridge abutments to accommodate a new concrete arch deck on the 128-year-old single-span structure, which sits over the Highland Main Line. 

Representatives from Network Rail and principal contractor AmcoGiffen will set up a compound in land adjacent to Faskally Caravan Park to provide site offices and welfare facilities for those delivering the project.

To maintain an all-vehicle access route throughout, except over two weekends later in the year, a temporary bridge is being installed before the existing one is removed.

Susan Menmuir, scheme project manager, Network Rail, said:  "Renewal work such as this is essential in allowing Network Rail to maintain and improve our assets across Scotland’s Railway.

“This is a significant piece of engineering and not without its challenges. Not only are we replacing the bridge deck, we’re also installing a temporary structure next to it and within a tight space. However, this allows vehicle access to be maintained for the community during delivery of much of the works.

“Replacing the128-year-old bridge will ensure that work on this scale will not be required for at least another 120-years.

“We do appreciate the impact our activity will have on Killiecrankie village, particularly those living closest to the bridge and we will do all we can to minimise this where possible.

“We are grateful to the community for their patience while we complete this vital work.”

Access at Rannoch Road will be maintained throughout the works except when the existing bridge is demolished and the new bridge is installed. This will be done over two consecutive weekends of extended engineering works, with no trains running on the line, from 30 November to 2 December and 7 December to 9 December.

Over both weekends, the road will be closed at the bridge , with traffic management measures in place including an all-vehicle diversion route. Further updates will be issued to advise the community and passengers in advance of this element of the works.

The project is part of a wide-ranging bridge modernisation programme aimed at protecting and improving Scotland’s Railway, with over £1.95 billion being invested to increase reliability and improve performance.