Work On West Lothian Bridge Reconstruction Project Complete

Work on a bridge reconstruction project in West Lothian is now complete.

The A71 road bridge next to West Calder station has fully reopened following a 16-week work programme to demolish and replace the previous structure.

The scheme was carried out as part of the electrification of the Shotts line, which will be completed in 2019.

Other works involved extensive mining remediation work under the bridge abutments to ensure the ongoing integrity of the rebuilt structure.


Iain McFarlane Network Rail's head of programme management for the Shotts Line Electrification programme said: "We have been mindful of the impact that closing the A71 has for both road users and those communities adjacent to the proposed diversion route and have been focussed on completing this work with minimal disruption.

"The new railway bridge clears the way for overhead electrification but also means the structure is fit for purpose for the volume and weight of traffic travelling over it now and growth in the future.

"We are grateful for the patience shown by the community in West Calder, and those who would normally have used this route, while the road has been unavoidably closed to enable the bridge replacement work."

(LM/MH)