Graeme Reid

Motorists are being told to brace themselves for the most “significant road closure” yet on the M74.

Road bosses have warned commuters to expect “major delays” on the M74 and surrounding roads as the motorway will be closed from Junction 4 Maryville to Junction 5 Raith for a whole weekend this month as Bothwellpark Road Bridge is demolished.

As part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, the M74 will be closed to traffic in both directions from 8pm on Friday, November 18, to 6am on Monday, November 21.

Diversions will be in place for those travelling from the East Kilbride Expressway.

The bridge, located to the north of M74 Junction 5, Raith, is the final structure to be demolished as part of the £500m infrastructure improvement project which is being delivered by Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland Project Manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, 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,

We are advising road users to plan their journey, avoid the area and surrounding roads

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.”

Transport Scotland is warning road users to expect major delays on all surrounding routes.

“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,” added Mr Reid.

“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.’’