Delayson Raithroad
Motorists are being advised to expect delays on all approaches to Raith Interchange as works begin to upgrade the Bothwell Bridge junction.
The mini roundabout there is being replaced by traffic signals as part of the M8, M73, M74 Motorway Improvements Project.
Weekend motorists are being advised to expect delays on all approaches to Raith Interchange as works begin to upgrade the Bothwell Bridge junction.
The mini roundabout at Bothwell Bridge, which links Hamilton and Bothwell Road (B7071), is being replaced by three-way traffic signals as part of the £500 million M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.
The works to remove the roundabout will be phased over two weekends.
During the first weekend of works, Bellshill Road (B7071) will be closed in both directions with no access to or from Bothwell/hamilton from the M74 Junction 5 Raith or the A725, starting 8pm on Friday, April 21, to 6am Monday, April 24, 2017.
The A725 southbound carriageway through the Raith Underpass will also be closed over the full weekend with traffic diverted via Raith roundabout.
The second weekend of works will take place from 8pm on Friday, April 28 to 6am on Monday, May 1, and will result in the closure of Bellshill Road (B7071) southbound only.
As a result, there will be no access to Bothwell or Hamilton from the M74 Junction 5 Raith or the A725.
The B7071 northbound will remain open during the second weekend closure, therefore residents of Hamilton and Bothwell will still be able to access the A725 (Bellshill Bypass and East Kilbride Expressway) and the M74 at Junction 5 Raith (April 28 to May 1).
During both weekends, Hamilton and Bothwell Road (B7071) will be reduced to a single lane on approach to Bothwell Bridge roundabout, with temporary two-way traffic signals in operation.
Access from the M74 Junction 5 Raith to both the A725 Bellshill Bypass and East Kilbride Expressway will also be maintained during both weekend works.
Signed diversions will be in place on all approaches to provide road users with alternative routes, however, delays are anticipated and motorists are being advised to plan their journey in advance.
Graeme Reid, project sponsor for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “These works are necessary as the mini roundabout near Bothwell Bridge is too small to cope with the volume of traffic trying to access and leave this major junction.
“The installation of new traffic signals will improve the flow of traffic to and from the local roads during peak times, as well as provide improved access through this junction for pedestrians.
“I would like to thank the thousands of road users who travel through the works on a daily basis for their continued patience, and would ask that they bear with us as we approach the final stages of construction.”
When complete, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will improve journey times and boost Scotland’s economy by improving connections between the commercial centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh and beyond.
Road users can expect to shave approximately 20 minutes off their journeys along the A8/M8 corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh and approximately 15 minutes through Raith Interchange at Junction 5 on the M74.
I’d like to thank road users for their continued patience