Drivers using the M8 near Glasgow Airport can expect delays from Friday 9th March, when essential repairs to the White Cart Viaduct on the M8 are due to re-start.

As part of a £30m investment programme, essential strengthening works are being carried out on the M8 White Cart viaduct, which carries the M8 over the White Cart Water immediately to the south of Glasgow Airport, and is a principal route to the airport.

Work to strengthen the 44-year-old bridge began in July 2010, although day-time traffic management did not commence until 26th December 2011. There has been a temporary lifting of day-time closures since 12th January 2012 while works progressed under the bridge during the night.

From 8 p.m on Friday 9th March, one lane will be closed in each direction between J27 and J28 and this Contraflow Traffic Management is likely will remain in place for around 10 weeks. The westbound on-ramp from J27 and eastbound on-ramps from J28 and J29 will also be closed. Work will continue on the carriageway during the night (8pm – 6am), when two lanes will be closed in each direction.

-- Advertisement --

The average speed cameras installed before Christmas will remain in operation until the works are complete to ensure the safety of the workforce, the travelling public and to help reduce congestion.

A worst case scenario could see delays of up to sixty minutes during peak periods although the first stage of works saw average delays of around twenty minutes. Drivers are asked to plan their journeys accordingly using the Traffic Scotland website, to seriously consider alternative modes of transport where available and to listen for travel updates on the radio.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We appreciate the patience of drivers during these essential repairs to the White Cart Viaduct, a bridge that carries over 90,000 vehicles a day and needs to be brought up to modern standards.

"Once this final stage of the strengthening works is complete, all traffic management will be lifted and drivers will benefit from a 60mph speed limit on this route once more."

The White Cart Viaduct was built in 1968 and now carries over 90,000 vehicles daily. These essential strengthening works are unavoidable and on completion will ensure the bridge is brought up to modern standards and can comply with current loading and safety requirements.

This is the third phase of a £30m programme of works to upgrade the White Cart Viaduct and is being undertaken by BAM Nuttall.

This will be followed up with phase four to repaint the external steelwork of the box girders, undertake concrete repairs and below deck maintenance work. No traffic management will be required for this phase. Estimated completion of the full programme of works is 2016.

(GK)