Raith project on the right road
Major roadworks move into the final stages
As the multi-million pound M74 Raith Interchange project reached a major milestone this month, the Advertiser were on hand to capture the roadworks as they proceed into their final stages.
Weeks of travel disruption ended for motorists using one side of the Raith Interchange as the new B7071 opened at Raith, providing direct access to Bothwell and Hamilton from the new roundabout bridge.
At the moment, this is providing one lane in a southbound direction, coming off Raith roundabout. However, two lanes are scheduled to be open by the end of the month.
The centrepiece of the major project is the underpass, which is the last piece of the jigsaw. When complete, the underpass will provide free-flow for traffic from the A725 East Kilbride Expressway to the Bellshill by-pass, under the existing Raith roundabout.
Work on the excavation of the underpass is now well underway.
The project has come with its challenges and Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland’s project manager, explained: “Our major challenges have been completing the works while thousands of vehicles use the busy road on a daily basis and we have had our challenges to face with the water, where we are currently excavating to construct the underpass.”
Transport Scotland say the project, once complete, will cut Glasgowedinburgh journeys by 20 minutes at busy times, while drivers who had to endure delays at the old Raith roundabout can expect to save 15 minutes.
One of the most visible parts of the structure is the large footbridge and cyclepath which will allow access for those on foot and bikes travelling from Bothwell and Hamilton into Strathclyde Park.
The work is part of a £500m scheme, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, to improve connections between the commercial centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh and beyond.
The Central Scotland trunk roads network will remain operational at all times with in excess of 100,000 vehicles using the project roads on a daily basis, a major challenge in itself.
Work began on the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project in February 2014 and is scheduled for completion for spring 2017.
Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) is the consortium responsible for designing, building and financing the project, in addition to operating and maintaining them for 30 years following completion.