Fife Electrification

Project Updates

• Thornton - Main Street bridge replacement

  Time: 9.00 | Date: 12-05-26

  Read more about our work to replace the bridge carrying Main Street over the railway in Thornton on the dedicated page here

• Kirkcaldy - Bennochy Bridge replacement

  Time: 9.00 | Date: 12-05-26

  Bennochy Road bridge in Kirkcaldy is being rebuilt, to create the room needed underneath to install new overhead wires.

  Until July 2027, the road is closed to allow the bridge to be rebuilt safely. A road diversion is in place throughout which involves several months of diverting undeground utilities before the bridge can be demolished and rebuilt.

  

  

  All of this is part of our work to electrify the railway in Fife.

• Cardenden - New accessible footbridge

  Time: 11.30 | Date: 14-07-26

  As part of the electrification project a new accessible bridge will be installed at Cardenden Station. 

  This will replace the current footbridge and once it’s complete, lifts will provide step-free access between platforms, making it much easier for those with mobility challenges, the elderly, and those travelling with children, luggage or prams. 

  

  The project will take around nine months and the current footbridge will remain in place until the new one is constructed, so access will remain between the platforms.  

  The bridge needs to be replaced to make room for the new overhead wires which will power battery electric trains to be installed.  

  Elsewhere in Cardenden, we will be replacing the bridge deck at Cardenden Road (Old Bridge).  

  The new structure will be stronger and more resilient, supporting Network Rail’s commitment to maintaining a safe and reliable railway for passengers and freight. 

  This work is scheduled to start from 17 August until 18 December 2026, with a road and pedestrian diversion in place.  

  

  

  Although this bridge replacement is not part of the electrification project, delivering both schemes at the same time helps reduce overall disruption to the community by not having to do this work separately at a later date. 

• October Engineering work

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 14-07-26

  Rail passengers in Fife are being asked to plan ahead this October as we carry out a major programme of engineering as part of the Fife Electrification Project. 

  The work is part of the Scottish Government's £311.5m investment to electrify 118km of the route to introduce new battery-electric trains, supporting the wider modernisation of Scotland's railway and a move towards more sustainable transport. 

  

  Over 18 days, engineers will carry out bridge replacements, track and signalling upgrades, and other improvements in the area to clear the way for the installation of new overhead power lines.

  Three planned rail closures will allow teams to complete some of the most complex parts of the project safely and efficiently: 

  • Inverkeithing and Thornton North: 10 to 20 October 
  • Thornton North, Cupar and Hilton Junction: 20 to 24 October 
  • Lochgelly and Glenrothes: 24 to 28 October. 

   

  Find out more about the programme of work for October.