[1][2] The Woodroad Viaduct, which comprises 14 semi-circular arches, was designed by the civil engineer John Miller and built by the contractor James McNaughton.

[3] In line with the practice of famed bridge-builder and civil engineer Thomas Telford, the viaduct features hollow piers and spandrels, which has the benefit of reducing the weight bearing on the structure's foundations.

[3] Specifically, as a result of the area having been rich in both limestone and coal, it had been worked for some time by various locals, commonly using a room and pillar technique .

[3] This phase of work was assisted by the use of machinery in the form of derrick cranes, which were used to build both the piers and the abutments up to a maximum height of 7.6 metres above ground level.

Above this height, construction activity was supported using an elevated service road, complete with travelling cranes that ran upon rails located upon either side of the viaduct.

[3] During this process, a high degree of attention was dedicated to the correct erection of the timber formwork that was used to construct the masonry arches, which had a height in excess of 30 metres.

On 25 September 2010, Cathy Jamieson, MP and MSP, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the passing of 160 years since the construction of the viaduct.