On Friday, 25 August, track laying on the Levenmouth Rail Link project was finally completed when Scotland's Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, installed the final pandrol clip.
The new line connects Leven in Fife in Scotland with Thornton Junction on the East Coast Mainline. The length of track laid totalled 19 kilometres, and has been taking place since March last year.
Constructing the line required removing 80,000 tonnes of spoil, after which the ground was waterproofed and approximately 75,000 tonnes of stone ballast laid on top.
Engineers have installed over 29,000 sleepers and laid 35km of rail in 165, 215-metre-long sections.
As well as laying the new track, a number of existing bridges have been repaired, and new stations constructed at Cameron Bridge and Leven.
The line is scheduled for completion in 2024, but before then, preparatory work will take place to enable future electrification of the line.
Current work taking place includes fencing, signalling, drainage, and cabling works, whilst at Dunniface, Methil, and Mountfleurie preparatory activity is underway to construct bridges across the railway.
At Leven, work on the (Bawbee) Leven bridge has progressed well, with work soon to take place to install the bridge deck and reinstate the carriageway.
Ms Hyslop said: “It is fantastic to be here today to meet the site team and mark the completion of track laying on the project. It demonstrates what can be delivered through the excellent teamwork and determination that has made this possible.
“With work progressing on both Leven and Cameron Bridge stations, it is great to see a real and growing sense of excitement and anticipation building around the project, particularly in the surrounding communities regarding the social and economic benefits that the new line will bring.
“I would like to thank the team on the ground who worked through all weathers to complete the track and continue to work hard to bring this line back to life. On completion, the line will enable low-carbon transport options and make a real contribution to the Government's net-zero transport ambitions.”
Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway said: “It's a privilege to be able to welcome the Minister to the site of the new Leven station to mark the completion of track laying on the Levenmouth Rail Link.
“The new line will reconnect local communities to the railway for the first time in over five decades and it is incredible to see the progress the project team has made on the track work over the past year.
“Our focus now turns towards the completion of the new stations on the route ahead of the line entering passenger service next year.
“We are incredibly proud to be delivering this project on behalf of the Scottish Government and helping to unlock the leisure, education and employment opportunities that the new railway will deliver.”
