The rail firm has announced that work to replace the bridge carrying Shields Road over the railway in the city’s Southside has taken a further step forward.
It comes after a temporary footbridge for utilities and services was opened to the public four weeks ahead of schedule last week.
Now, those walking, wheeling, and cycling on the road can use the new footbridge until the road reopens in August.
The huge steel structure spans the four rail lines running below and allows the 24 utilities beneath the road surface to be diverted safely over the railway while the adjacent bridge deck is removed and replaced.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager for Scotland’s Railway, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be able to open this footbridge ahead of schedule, thanks to the fantastic work carried out by our partners to get the utilities diverted from the road and prepare the bridge for pedestrians.
“While the bridge is suitable for all, cyclists must dismount when crossing to ensure that everyone is safe.
“We can now prepare for the demolition and rebuild of the road bridge so that those using Shields Road are disrupted as little as possible and the road reopens on time in August this year.”
In the next phase of the work, the existing bridge over the railway will be demolished before engineers install the new bridge deck later in the year.
Shields Road has been shut between St Andrew’s Drive and Scotland Street since August 2023 whilst this vital work is carried out.
When complete, the work will improve the road layout for vehicles passing over Shields Road, reintroducing three lanes and a cycle along the carriageway, removing all current restrictions.
