UB 289 Moy Viaduct, Inverness
About the Project
- Principal designer: Arup Scotland
- Client: Network Rail
- Principal contractor: Carillion Rail
- Contract value: £3 million
The original Moy Viaduct, 24km south of Inverness, is a Grade A listed historic
structure and the last remaining timber viaduct on Scotland 's mainline railways.
But for a number of years it has been under strength and deteriorating, resulting in speed and weight restrictions being imposed. Many timbers had suffered a loss of section of more than 40 per cent, so Network Rail had been forced to cut speeds to 40 mph for passenger trains and 20 mph for freight.
The task was to replace the central track-supporting section of the original viaduct with a new multi-span steel deck, but to keep the majority of the original timbers and its original appearance.
The five span timber viaduct, created in 1887, comprises a
series of timber trestles supported on timber piles, and each supporting
six longitudinal
main beams. The three span replacement deck was created on line, but
cradled within the heart of the existing viaduct.
The Judges said:
"A successful response to the challenges of working in the rail environment with the safety requirements that that entails and a careful, sensitive treatment of a valued listed building."