Borrodale Viaduct Explained

Bridge Name:Borrodale Viaduct
Carries:West Highland Line
Crosses:Borrodale Burn
Material:Concrete
Mainspan:127feet
Spans:3
Begin:1897
Open:1901
Coordinates:56.9034°N -5.7831°W

The Borrodale Viaduct is a railway viaduct that carries the West Highland Line over the Borrodale Burn.

History

In the decade after Borrodale was constructed, a large number of other concrete bridges were put up, whereas in the five years prior there were only three.

Design

The viaduct has a main span of 127feet, which at the time of its construction was the longest mass concrete span in the world.[1] The original proposal was to have a conventional viaduct with piers in the gully, but the owner of Arisaig House insisted that the piers be clad in granite, so the design with the large span was settled on instead. The side spans are clad in dressed stone and are both of span .[1] There is also a dressed stone parapet.[1]

The rise of the main arch is, and the viaduct is above the Borrodale Burn.[1] To the south-east, towards Fort William, is a tunnel almost adjacent to the viaduct.[2]

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Borrodale Viaduct . rcahms.gov . 30 December 2014.
  2. Book: Brunhouse, Jay. Traveling the Eurail Express. 2004. Pelican Publishing. 978-1-58980-168-4. 160.