Instigated as part of a round of transport improvement projects proposed by the then Scottish Executive in 2003, the plan was to open up a fourth direct railway link between the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The route chosen, utilised many abandoned infrastructure features such as tunnels and bridges left over from a previous long gone rail route. The project was completed in October 2010, at an estimated cost of £300 million. As a trusted and reliable local company, SWGR were at the forefront of supplying skilled OLE isolation and safety critical staff to work along various stretches of the 15 mile route.

The line was successfully opened for operational use on 18 October 2010, ahead of schedule and on budget.