Nitshill Road, south of Glasgow, will close overnight on eight consecutive Saturdays while Network Rail engineers carry out work to repair and strengthen the railway bridge over the A726.
The refurbishment of the bridge, at Nitshill station, is part of a wider, rolling programme of maintenance work on structures which is designed to extend their lifespan and keep the network safe and reliable. It represents an investment of circa £1m to protect and prolong the life of the bridge.
Work on the bridge, includes improving the drainage and clearing adjacent vegetation, strengthening girders, repairing masonry, blast cleaning and repairing the metalwork, applying corrosion protection and painting.
To deliver this work safely and efficiently, the road needs to close overnight each Saturday night from February 22, to enable engineers to erect scaffolding. Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained throughout the project.
In addition to the Saturday night road closures, traffic management will be in place from February 22 until April 13 which will reduce the road to single lane controlled by temporary traffic lights.
Allison Flanagan, Network Rail project manager, said: “We know that Nitshill Road is a busy and important route for local traffic and we do not take the decision to request its closure lightly.
“We understand the impact that this potentially will have for both road users and those communities adjacent to the bridge works. However, this is the most efficient and safest way to undertake the work required on the bridge.
“We will deliver the work in just 12 weeks which is a logistical challenge but we have planned the job carefully with our contractors and will complete it with the minimum possible inconvenience to the local community.”
Network Rail has worked with Glasgow City Council to put in place an appropriate ‘all vehicle’ diversion and all local access has been retained either side of the bridge to industrial units and the near-by shops and supermarkets.
If you have any questions about this work you can contact Network Rail’s 24 hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. For latest information and progress updates follow on twitter @NetworkRailScot
