Motorway drivers face long delays

Three months of mayhem

Lanarkshire motorists are being warned to expect significant delays on the M74, M73 and M8 from August 8, as work begins to remove existing motorway gantries and install new ones.

Major traffic management is required along central Scotland’s motorway network to ensure these works are carried out safely as part of the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.

This includes reducing the carriageway to two lanes in each direction and, at times, will result in the closure of various slip roads on the M8, M73 and M74.

The works to remove and install the new gantries are scheduled to begin on the following dates:

M74 – northbound and southbound between Junction 2A, Fullarton, and Junction 6, Hamilton, from August 8, 2016, for approximately three months.

M73 – northbound and southbound between Junction 1, Maryville, to Junction 2, Baillieston, from mid –September for approximately six weeks.

●M8 – north and southbound from Junction 10, Easterhouse to Junction 8, Baillieston, from mid-august for approximately four months.

Graeme Reid, Project Manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “Transport Scotland is working with the contractor to ensure these works are completed as quickly as possible.

“Whilst we’re doing everything we can to minimise the disruption, delays will be inevitable, so we’re asking motorists to check the Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland websites for updates on these key routes, to plan their journeys in advance and to look at taking an alternative route if possible.”

When complete, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will significantly reduce congestion across the central Scotland motorway network, shaving approximately 20 minutes off the daily commute from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Road users are advised to routinely check the Transport Scotland website and the Traffic Scotland website for live updates; www.transportscotland.gov.uk and www. trafficscotland.org