Advice for drivers as M74 roadworks start

Oct 2 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

WORK began yesterday (Wednesday) on a £4m project to replace the last concrete section of the M74.

Reconstruction of the badly patched section of the southbound M74 motorway from Gleck and Bog bridge to junction 11 (Poneil) is a long-awaited project.

It has been designed and managed by Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, and is scheduled to finish early in December.

The work will be the last of four phases carried out since 2006 to replace the well-known concrete carriageway. The project was designed in four stages to avoid any lengthy periods of ongoing traffic management on this busy section of the M74.

Amey will work with Tarmac Construction to rebuild four kilometres of the southbound carriageway.

At the same time, new communication ducts will be installed along with traffic loops followed by the reinstatement of road markings.

Tarmac were due to begin the critical rebuilding of the carriageway at 7am yesterday morning.

The speed limit through the works is to be reduced from 70mph to 50mph for safety reasons. This temporary limit will be enforced by SPECS average speed cameras.

Traffic will be managed by contraflow on the north bound carriageway with one lane operating in each direction

The south-bound off slip at junction 11 will be kept open for as long as possible but will be closed when the reconstruction project reaches the southern end of the site.

Once the southbound off slip road at the junction closes, a diversion will be in place for south-bound traffic. The diversion will take vehicles wishing to exit at junction 11 off the motorway at junction 9 and onto the B7078 past Lesmahagow to junction 11.

HGVs carrying wide loads will be directed to holding areas at Abington services (for north-bound) and Bothwell services (for south-bound). The loads will be assessed and escorted through the works.

Colin Mackenzie, unit manager for Amey in south-west Scotland, said: “This section of the M74 carries around 32,000 vehicles every day and we are advising all road users to realise the change in speed limit throughout the project.

“This is the final of four phases of work being carried out on this section of the M74. The road has worn over time and to ensure the integrity of the network for years to come it is critical to replace this.”

Amey has urged drivers to take a common Sense approach to roadworks.

They are asking drivers to:

l Keep to the speed limit.

l Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.

l Be alert for roadworks traffic and personnel.

l Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.

l Observe all signs which are there to help you.

l Get into the correct lane in good time – and don’t keep switching.

The major roads project has been welcomed by Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for South of Scotland.

Commenting on the issue, she said: “One of the biggest complaints in my mailbag is the condition of the roads in the Clydesdale area.

“Drivers across the Clydesdale area will be delighted to know that progress is finally being made road.

“The M74 is the main artery with the north of England, and drivers in both directions expect and deserve a road that meets the demand placed upon it.

“Our road network needs to be brought into the 21st century – and I hope this news shows that at last some progress is being made.”