The UK’s Network Rail has announced that the Edinburgh Gateway station in Scotland is on schedule to open by the end of the year.
Being built for the tram/train interchange, the station has been designed to allow rail passengers travelling from the north to easily reach the city’s airport.
The new £41m station is part of the £742m Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), which will see the electrification of central Scotland’s railway infrastructure, and provide increased capacity and faster speeds on key routes.
The new station being built next to the Gogar roundabout on the A8 will also have access to the Gyle Centre, and serve passengers from Fife and the north who wish to go to the airport or use the tram network.
Engineers have been working at the site for 12 months.
The Gateway station will have two 265m platforms and boast 1,500m² of concourse and circulation space.
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By GlobalDataIt will feature a step-free access bridge that links the platforms within the railway station and connect to the tram stop via lifts and escalators.
The station will also offer an interchange with the tram network to afford fast and efficient movement from the train station.
Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "Seeing the progress on the Edinburgh Gateway rail/tram interchange is testimony to the hard work of all those involved to date.
"December 2016 marks a pivotal milestone in our £5bn programme of investment in Scotland’s Railway and more specifically, the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.
"It will also mark the opening of the Edinburgh Gateway station, which will provide connectivity for Fife line services and offer effective interchange between the Scottish rail network and Edinburgh Airport, offering new journey opportunities to the airport, places of work and the surrounding business development area."
Network Rail Scotland managing director Phil Verster said: "Despite the challenging weather, the project team at Edinburgh Gateway has maintained its focus on keeping this work on programme.
"There is a real commitment and enthusiasm to build a facility, which will deliver real and significant benefits for passengers on our network, enhancing the connectivity between different modes of transport and becoming a catalyst for economic investment and local development."
Image: Scotland Transport Minister Derek Mackay and Network Rail Scotland managing director Phil Verster at the new £41m station site. Photo: courtesy of Network Rail.