Network Rail, in collaboration with principal contractor AmcoGiffen, evaluated the viaduct’s condition. Located in the Scottish Highlands and renowned globally due to its appearance in the Harry Potter films, the viaduct has undergone extensive maintenance to ensure its longevity for future generations. A plaque celebrating the centenary of the viaduct was unveiled on the 12th July 1997 by Sir William McAlpine, now head of the family construction firm founded by his great-grandfather. During World War II, the viaduct was regularly ‘blown up’ in exercises by Special Operations Executive agents, who trained in acts of sabotage in this area before being sent into occupied Europe. A spectacular engineering construction which curves across Glen Finnan 13 miles (21 km) west northwest of Fort William, the Glenfinnan Viaduct carries the West Highland Railway over the River Finnan on its way north to Mallaig. Our highly skilled team faced numerous challenges, from preserving the viaduct’s original integrity to implementing modern engineering solutions. Weston Homes bolsters senior team The viaduct is built from mass concrete, and has 21 semicircular spans of 50 feet (15 m). Constructed in 1901 at a cost of £18,904 (approximately £2 million in today’s value), the Glenfinnan Viaduct is Scotland’s largest mass concrete viaduct, extending over 1,000 feet. The Glenfinnan Viaduct, which opened in 1901, is the largest mass concrete viaduct in Scotland, stretching over 1,000 feet. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line at Glenfinnan, in the Lochaber district of north-western Scotland, built from 1897 to 1901. The Glenfinnan viaduct opened in 1901 and is the largest mass concrete viaduct in Scotland, spanning more than 1,000 feet. The Glenfinnan Viaduct, a landmark structure in the Scottish Highlands famed for its appearance in the Harry Potter films, has undergone a comprehensive £3.4 million restoration project. Robert McAlpine & Sons was headed by Robert McAlpine, nicknamed “Concrete Bob” for his innovative use of mass concrete. “Over a century after it was first built, Glenfinnan Viaduct still stands strong today, in no small part due to Network Rail’s excellent care.” We’re proud to see it standing strong and it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.” How Engineers Preserved a Scottish Icon! New safety handrails for staff working at height were installed, along with renewing ballast retention systems at the ends of the structure. Network Rail, along with principal contractor AmcoGiffen, assessed the condition of the viaduct. £3.4m Restoration For Historic Glenfinnan Viaduct Originally built at a cost of £18,904, this amount is equivalent to approximately £2 million today. Meanwhile, specially trained rope access technicians descended from the viaduct to reach and restore otherwise inaccessible areas. Engineers also worked within the River Finnan to shield the piers from erosion caused by the swift river currents. Ballast, the stone material beneath the track, ensures stability, drainage, and protects the underlying structure. Additionally, new safety handrails were installed for staff working at height, and ballast retention systems at the structure’s ends were renewed. Join over 11,100 construction industry professionals in receiving our FREE daily email newsletter Thus, the viaduct is sometimes referred to as “The Harry Potter Bridge”. The 2007 series of notes issued by the Bank of Scotland depicts different bridges in Scotland as examples of Scottish engineering, and the £10 note features the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is a popular tourist event in the area, and the viaduct is one of the major attractions of the line. Located at the top of Loch Shiel in the West Scottish Highlands, the viaduct overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the waters of Loch Shiel. Additionally, deer fencing has been installed at Ardmolich to safeguard the newly planted native woodlands from overgrazing. A two-year, industry-leading pilot project enhanced the natural habitat by planting trees across approximately 200 hectares to protect, restore and expand rainforest and peatland habitats. Why Christmas Was Critical for the South East Railway: The… The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line at Glenfinnan, in the Lochaber district of north-western Scotland, built from 1897 to 1901. Engineers also worked within the River Finnan to shield the piers from erosion caused by the swift river currents. Our highly-skilled team faced numerous challenges, from preserving the viaduct’s original integrity to implementing modern engineering solutions. “It’s an honour to look after the Glenfinnan Viaduct, knowing how much it’s loved all over the world. Network Rail is also investing £500,000 to renew over five kilometres of lineside fencing near the viaduct. These bridges were mostly designed with an exposed concrete finish, rather than being faced in stone, and are the earliest railway bridges of this style in Scotland. A year-long, £3.4 million restoration project of the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct has been completed. The viaduct was built by Robert McAlpine & Sons of Glasgow, as the company was then called, and designed by Glasgow consulting engineer Simpson & Wilson. We won’t be scaffolding the structure at all but in the coming weeks, you’ll start to see the rope access technicians on the viaduct as they begin work.” The Glenfinnan Viaduct, which opened in 1901, is the largest mass concrete viaduct in Scotland, stretching over 1,000 feet. Network Rail, in collaboration with principal contractor AmcoGiffen, completed the year-long programme to ensure the long-term preservation of the viaduct. The concrete used in the Glenfinnan Viaduct is mass concrete, which unlike reinforced concrete does not contain any metal reinforcement. The restoration of the Glenfinnan Viaduct forms part of a wider programme of environmental and infrastructure improvements in the area. Network Rail has awarded AmcoGiffen a £3.4m contract to carry out repairs to the Glenfinnan viaduct in the Scottish Highlands. Engineers also worked in the River Finnan, protecting the piers from erosion caused by the fast-flowing river. 6 hours Skanska has completed the replacement of Clifton railway bridge near Penrith after a second weekend closure of the M6 motorway in Cumbria. “The work will not have a massive visual impact on the way the viaduct looks and that’s very deliberate, with it being