M74 shuts for bridge work
Drivers urged to avoid area
Motorists are being warned to expect significant delays when a major motorway junction in Lanarkshire closes this weekend.
The M74 will be closed in both directions from Junction 4 Maryville to Junction 5 Raith so the Bothwellpark Road Bridge can be demolished.
The closure takes effect from 8pm on Friday night to 6am on Monday morning.
And drivers can expect disruption on surrounding routes.
The bridge demolition work forms part of the £500 million M8, M73, M74 Motorway Improvements Project.
Transport Scotland project manager Graeme Reid said: “This is the most significant road closure we have implemented as part of the works and we are anticipating major delays on all approaches, the surrounding roads and the main diversion route.
“We are advising road users to plan their journey, avoid the area and surrounding local roads, and if possible, to use alternative modes of transport for the weekend.”
He added: “On a typical weekend we can expect to see as many as 140,000 vehicles using this main arterial route, and we fully appreciate the disruption this will cause.
“Together with our contractor (SRP), we have been liaising with key stakeholders including the emergency services and local authorities to minimise the disruption and complete these works as quickly as possible.
“However, we need road users to play their part by avoiding the area where possible and using alternative modes of transport to keep traffic levels on the diversion route to an absolute minimum.”
Motorists will continue to have access to the M74 southbound at Junction 5 Raith, and the the M74 northbound at Junctions 4 Maryville and 3A Daldowie.
However, there will be no access to Bothwell Services from the M74 southbound.
ScotRail is anticipating increased passenger numbers on Lanarkshire railway services – and is providing extra capacity on the trains for the weekend.