The work is part of a wider engineering programme on the £140 million East Kilbride Enhancement project, part of a Scottish Government investment to decarbonise passenger services.

Network Rail, along with contractor Story, started the £5.5m project in April 2024 to replace the road bridge next to Thornliebank station.

The bridge needed to be raised to provide room to run the new overhead electric power lines under the structure.

Over 50,000 hours were worked over the last 12 months and 1,500 tonnes of concrete was used for the new bridge structure, including 165 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

Ahead of the old bridge being demolished last September, the first five months on site involved moving 22 separate utilities, including gas, water, electricity and telecoms, from the structure and then installing services back into the new bridge in recent months.

Paul Reilly, Network Rail’s senior programme manager for the bridge works, said: “To be opening Thornliebank Road bridge today is a milestone moment for the electrification project, especially as we have been able to do so seven weeks early.

“It’s a fantastic achievement by the team and our contractor Story, who really pushed the programme forward to make critical gains where possible. This investment in electrifying the East Kilbride to Glasgow railway will mean we can run cleaner, greener electric trains that deliver significant environmental improvements for passengers and those living next to the railway.

“We understand that closing a road bridge temporarily is never ideal, however, this work couldn’t be completed otherwise. I want to thank the community, particularly our nearest neighbours, for the patience shown throughout delivery of the work.”

Alan Rundell, head of operations, Story Contracting, added: “It was fantastic to see so many people in attendance today at the opening of the new bridge. It is a great testament to the collaborative working between Network Rail, Story, our supply chain partners, and the local community, which sees this bridge being opened to traffic almost two months ahead of schedule.

“It was a particularly challenging project due to the location and limitations on space as well as numerous unidentified services within the structure which threw challenges to the team, which they took in their stride and overcame.

“A great achievement for all parties involved and a thank you to the local community for their support during the works.”

Part of the work included replacing the pedestrian footbridge neighbouring Thornliebank Road bridge which also opened this month.

Once the East Kilbride Enhancement project completes in December 2025, the investment in the line will see:

• Electrification of the railway from Glasgow to East Kilbride
• A new station at East Kilbride
• A new station with two platforms and accessible footbridge at Hairmyres
• A new footbridge at Busby station
• Improved access at Giffnock, with a new accessible footbridge
• Improved access to Platform 2 at Clarkston station.