Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
14/08/2017

First Minister Unveils £500m M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project

Construction News Image
The new £500 million M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project has been officially opened.

The scheme, which includes a new seven-mile stretch of the M8 motorway, was unveiled by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The route between Newhouse and Baillieston was completed in April and opened to traffic then. It aims to tackle congestion problems in central Scotland and is the first part of a combined £1.7 billion investment by Transport Scotland in the roads network.

New analysis by Transport Scotland shows journey times are significantly improved, with vehicles now travelling along the M8 at an average speed of almost 70mph.

During construction, the project provided training and employment to more than 8,000 workers, who contributed more than 6.5 million hours of work to deliver the improvements. In addition, the scheme provided a minimum of 30 graduate and apprenticeship positions during the three year construction period, with a further 20 construction jobs each year aimed at the long-term unemployed.

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

The project is also expected to provide sustainable long-term employment opportunities for approximately 60 full-time staff during the operation and maintenance of these routes over a 30-year period.

Speaking at the Maxim Business Park at Eurocentral, the First Minister said: "This new length of motorway has completed the M8 link between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Scotland's previously most congested junction.

"The M8 is a vital link in the central belt and this newly completed section will help connect people to business, leisure and education opportunities and also creates a better environment for companies to do business.

"Businesses are already reporting a journey time saving of up to 20 minutes travel between Scotland's biggest cities and a similar saving for those using Raith junction. These improvements and additional road capacity will ensure our economy has room to grow.

"With the completion of this project, and three others others  - the Queensferry crossing, the first section of the A9 dualling and the Aberdeen bypass - by next spring, more than 250km of new roads will have been completed in the last 10 years – representing a total investment in construction of £2.81 billion."

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Connectivity between Scotland's two biggest cities is vitally important for trade so we warmly welcome the completion of this major infrastructure project.

"The M8 M73 M74 road network is also a key link for people commuting to Glasgow, with shorter journey times a real benefit to businesses and the economy.

"Congratulations to Transport Scotland and its partners for delivering such an extensive project which will have a huge, lasting impact for travel across the country and beyond."

(LM/MH)

Latest Construction News

26/11/2024

Scottish Water has unveiled its largest-ever procurement initiative, aiming to modernise the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure while safeguarding the environment. The program, named Delivery Vehicle 4, is valued between £5 billion and £9 billion and is set to run from 2027 to 2033, with ...
26/11/2024

The City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning permission, subject to conditions, for the refurbishment of Calton Square, an office building currently occupied by Baillie Gifford until the end of December 2025. Promoted by Ardstone Capital on behalf of Manova Partners, the project aims to ...
26/11/2024

First Minister John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, praised the progress being made on the construction of the new Perth High School during a visit on Friday, 22 November. He was joined by Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, alongside senior Perth and Kinross Councillors, ...
26/11/2024

A state-of-the-art playpark has officially opened at King George V Park in Bearsden, following the completion of a £100,000 refurbishment. Funded by a combination of East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) Capital Funding and the Scottish Government’s Renewing Scotland’s Play Parks initiative, the ...
26/11/2024

Fife Council has launched a public consultation, inviting residents, businesses, and organizations to contribute ideas and propose sites for inclusion in the next Local Development Plan, known as Fife's Place Plan. The council is calling on community councils, landowners, and developers to share ...
26/11/2024

The Chief Executive of East Lothian Council has announced she is to retire in February 2025. Monica Patterson who has been Chief Executive for almost five years, has spent most of her professional career working in local government. Prior to joining East Lothian Council in 2010, she was Head of ...
25/11/2024

West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) and Connect Modular have jointly submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the development of 33 affordable homes in Cowlairs. This project aligns with the wider Cowlairs Park regeneration scheme and the city's ambitious housing ...
25/11/2024

Arc-Tech (Scotland) has successfully completed a £6m Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services package for the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh. The state-of-the-art resort, which opened its doors earlier this month, features a range of amenities, including a wave pool, luxury lodges, and ...
25/11/2024

Scottish Water has successfully completed the construction of a groundbreaking hydro energy generation scheme at Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian. This innovative project, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will harness the power of water to offset a significant portion of the ...
25/11/2024

Work is set to commence on a £6.5 million project to upgrade the Double Dykes Gypsy/Traveller site near Perth. The initiative aims to replace outdated chalets with modern, energy-efficient accommodation and implement significant site improvements. Perth & Kinross Council secured £3.9 million from ...
RBT Underfloor LimitedMorris & Spottiswood LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesNo HydroSEEIT3DCF Concrete PumpingMaccaferri LtdDiscount Kitchens and Bathrooms LtdShopfronts ScotlandJSJ Foam Insulation Ltd
Terms and Conditions
2024/11/27 02:07:27