The exclusive Transport Scotland drone footage reveals for the first time the advanced progress of a 5km section of the new M8 between Shawhead Junction and Baillieston Interchange, following a site visit by Mr Humza Yousaf, the Minister for Transport and the Islands.
Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), with main contractors Lagan Construction Group, Ferrovial and Amey, is responsible for delivering the £500m investment project in Scotland’s trunk road network for Transport Scotland.
This newly constructed section of the M8 motorway will see three lanes of traffic travelling in each direction when completed, in addition to the two lanes in each direction available on the existing A8. As a result, the traffic travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the new M8 Motorway will be separated from local traffic using the A8.
It is expected this separation of strategic and local traffic will ease current traffic volumes by up to 25 per cent on the new M8 Motorway and shave almost 20 minutes off the daily commute between the two cities at peak times.
“This drone footage provides the public with a unique perspective of these major construction works that are currently underway to improve the connection between Glasgow and Edinburgh, but are largely out of sight to road users on the existing A8. The significant progress achieved is clear to see, and as we enter the final phase of works along the A8 corridor, I hope the public can be reassured that once complete, the benefits will far outweigh the current disruption. I’d like to thank road users for their patience to date and would ask that they bear with us during this final push to complete the M8 missing link.”Mr Humza Yousaf, the Minister for Transport and the Islands
The footage also shows 5km of new pedestrian and cycle routes which run parallel to the new motorway. This is part of 16km of new and improved routes which are being created to link with existing walking and cycling paths; improving the connections between many of the local communities, businesses and areas of employment in North and South Lanarkshire and Glasgow.
The aerial footage showcases numerous construction milestones which have been completed since the project began in February 2014, including the new, 2,000 tonne Braehead Rail Bridge, which was moved into position in July last year and now carries the Rutherglen to Whifflet railway line over the new M8.
This section of the new M8 is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2017. It aims to tackle congestion problems on the A8/M8, M73, M74 and at key junctions, including Raith (M74/A725) and Shawhead (A725/A8).