'The Mole' gets to work on A9 dualling project

Network Rail engineers called on the services of this mechanical 'mole' as they prepare for the reconstruction of the rail bridge near Moy.

One of the first tasks for the A9 Dualling Tomatin to Moy project is creating a temporary crossing under the track.

This will be used while the existing structure demolished and a new wider bridge is built.

To minimise disruptions an Unclemole 1200 Tunnel boring machine has been used.

Over a period of four days this managed to tunnel 110ft under the railway to break through a mixture of sand, gravel and rock.

The hydraulic drilling machine pushed deeper into the railway embankment and created a channel for 11 concrete pipes to be positioned and installed using a hydraulic jack.

Nick Conroy, manager of the A9 Dualling Tomatin to Moy project, said: "Undertaking these works in advance of the main construction contract helps to provide more certainty to our contractors' programme."

The replacement of the railway bridge at Lynebeg is part of the Scottish Government's plans to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

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