M74 roadworks will cause major traffic hold-ups

Nov 19 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

ABOUT 40,000 drivers will each day face two weeks of motorway misery when major road works begin on the M74 next week.

Commuters can expect lengthy tailbacks during peak times when the roadworks get underway next Wednesday on the £1m project to rebuild the southbound carriageway of the motorway between Bothwell Services and the Raith Interchange

The first cone will be laid on the motorway next Tuesday evening for work commencing the next day.

Traffic management will remain on site throughout the duration of the project.

Vehicles will travel in contraflow during the works, with two lanes open in each direction.

Delays are anticipated, at peak periods, on the M74 and local roads in the area.

Over 40,000 vehicles use the southbound section of the M74 each day and essential rebuilding is now required.Š

Speed restrictions will be in place throughout the work which will see 1.6km of worn carriageway removed, recycled and replaced.Š

Bothwell Services will close for one weekend from the evening of Friday, November 27, to Monday, November 30, (before 6am) when they re-open to accommodate the high volume of HGV traffic using the services during the week.

Chief Inspector Stewart Carle, area commander for Strathclyde’s Road Policing Department, said: “Drivers are urged to be patient, keep a safe reaction gap between them and the vehicle in front and ensure their vehicle is roadworthy and has sufficient fuel for the journey ahead.”

For the first time in Scotland, a Queue Monitoring System will be in place advising drivers of traffic delays.

The technology will monitor queues and relay messages to variable message signs (VMS) situated on the approaches to the works area. The signs will display messages such as ‘Caution, queuing traffic ahead' to approaching drivers in a bid to prevent rear-end collisions.

Since 2005 Transport Scotland has invested about £7m in the north and southbound section of the M74 around this area of the busy motorway.

The addition of the Queue Monitoring System during the roadworks further confirms the commitment to keeping traffic on the move while maintaining the south-west network.

During the project Amey, who have designed and managed the works, will carry out a carbon study, for the first time in the south-west of Scotland.

This involves the appointed contractor Tarmac collating data for all materials and plant entering and leaving the site. Š

On completion of the works the carbon figure will be calculated to determine best practice for future schemes.

The Carbon Management pilot will measure the materials, energy and waste generated by the project.

Colin Mackenzie, Amey’s unit manager for south-west Scotland, said:Š “The Scottish Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and at Amey we are always looking for new and innovative ways to calculate and minimise our own carbon footprint.

“By measuring the emissions and materials used on this scheme we can continue to improve on this for future projects.

“To aid drivers through the works we are using a Queue Management System for the very first time which will advise drivers of traffic conditions ahead. We urge drivers to plan their journeys with the works in mind.”

Alex Joannides, Transport Scotland’s project manager, said: “Our continued investment in the existing M74 will help maintain this vital section of Scotland’s motorway network for years to come.

“While we are doing all we can to minimise delays we do urge drivers to use all the available information to plan their journeys in advance and even to consider using public transport where available.”

More information on the scheme and updates on lane closures and other traffic management measures during the works are available from the Traffic Scotland website at www.trafficscotland.org and at www.twitter.com/AmeySouthWest