Port Eglinton Viaduct

Aerial view of
Port Eglinton Viaduct

The Port Eglinton viaduct is the largest bridge being constructed as part of the M74 Completion. It will carry both carriageways of the M74 over a number of surface streets and rail lines. From west to east, these are:

• West Street
• Glasgow – Paisley rail line
• City Union rail line
• Mauchline Street
• Stomness Street
• Salkeld Street
• Cathcart Circle/Neilston rail lines
• West Coast Main Line rail lines
• Eglinton Street
• Pollokshaws Road

The construction of this bridge will mean that all existing rail lines and local roads that the M74 extension crosses in this area are retained following completion of the new motorway.

The 12 span bridge is supported at each end by reinforced concrete supports (abutments) and at ten intermediate locations by multiple circular reinforced concrete columns (piers). The bridge deck (superstructure) is made up of steel box girder beams with reinforced concrete cast in place over the beams. Once the main superstructure is in place, follow on works (finishes) will complete the parapets, waterproof the bridge and lay the road surfacing.

Following completion of the bridge supports, the steel box girders will be lifted onto the supports by large cranes, except for the section over the Cathcart Circle/West Coast Main Line rail lines and Pollokshaws Road where the beams will be ‘launched’ over the roads and rail lines by pushing with jacks. Two major temporary steel trestle supports will be erected either side of the rail lines to assist in temporarily supporting the bridge when it is being launched.

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