The replacement of the 128-year-old Rannoch Road bridge in Killiecrankie, Scotland, marks a significant infrastructure upgrade, with more than £3 million ($3.38 million) invested in the project. The six-month-long effort, led by AmcoGiffen, will ensure a seamless transition to the new bridge while minimising inconvenience to local residents and traffic.

To ease the impact of the construction on the Highland Main Line and surrounding areas, a temporary bridge was installed in the vicinity of the old structure. Sarens played a critical role in this phase by deploying its LTM 1450-8.1 crane to handle the dismantling of the existing bridge and the installation of the temporary infrastructure. The temporary bridge, designed to manage traffic efficiently, will remain operational until the completion of the new bridge, after which Sarens will dismantle it as part of the final phase of the project.

The Sarens team conducted a comprehensive ground survey and laid steel mats to support the base of the temporary bridge, with AmcoGiffen providing under-propping to enhance stability. The advanced capabilities of the LTM1450 crane ensured the required axle loadings were achieved seamlessly.

In December, during a 54-hour period of disruptive possession, Sarens began the installation of pre-built sections for the new bridge. Next, Sarens will execute three overnight shifts to lift and install precast parapets, working with precision and speed to meet project timelines. A team of 15 highly qualified professionals will oversee these critical operations, emphasising safety and efficiency.

Andrew Winter, Sarens’ UK Country Manager, expressed the company’s pride in contributing to this transformative project, "We are proud to be involved in such an important project to ensure the movement and safety of road and rail traffic in Killiecrankie, and to demonstrate our commitment to optimising works to reduce their impact on the community in which they take place. We thank AmcoGiffen for their confidence in our team and look forward to continuing to work together on further projects to improve infrastructure across Scotland."

Through careful planning, the project has minimised disruption to local road and rail traffic, with rail interruptions confined to two weekends last December. Sarens’ expertise ensured that this critical upgrade was executed with minimal community disruption and maximum operational efficiency.