The first phase of one of the biggest civil engineering operations in Scotland has now finished.

The westbound launch of the Port Eglinton Viaduct is part of the work going on to complete the missing link between the end of the existing M74 at Fullarton Road and the M8 south of the Kingston Bridge.

The launch involved jacking a 200 metre long section of the bridge a distance of 166 metres across the West Coast Main Line railway, a number of local rail lines, and across Kilbirnie Street and Eglinton Street. The beams that have been launched will carry the westbound carriageway of the new motorway.

This part of the bridge, which includes a 135 metre long span over the West Coast Main Line and Eglinton Street, was launched into place rather than being placed by conventional crane lifts due to the length of the beams required to span the roads and rail lines and the need to avoid disruption to train services.

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The launch took place overnight when the rail lines were closed.

The eastbound launch will take place later this year.

Transport Scotland's Director of Major Trunk Road Infrastructure Programmes Ainslie McLaughlin said: "The contractor is to be congratulated on completing this challenging and very impressive piece of engineering work. Motorists travelling through Glasgow can now see this structure which shows that the completion of the M74 is taking great strides forward.

"This project, which is providing jobs and investment for the construction industry, will complete a vital motorway link, reducing congestion around Glasgow and improving strategic transport links for industry in the west of Scotland."

Interlink M74 Joint Venture Project Director David Welsh said: "We are delighted to have achieved this landmark stage in the progress of the project.

"The Port Eglinton launch is a great Engineering achievement and is the culmination of a vast amount of hard work and teamwork from our staff, operatives, sub contractors, client and stakeholders."

(GK/BMcC)