A £415m motorway improvement contract now at the tender stage will bring hundreds of job opportunities in the construction sector, it has been claimed.

Shortlisted consortia The Scotia Roads Group, Scottish Roads Partnership, Connect Roads and the Caledonia Roads Group have been invited to tender for the M8, M73 and M74 project.

Planned work involved completing the Glasgow-Edinburgh motorway and widening key sections of road.

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil said the infrastructure project would support hundreds of local construction and supplier jobs.

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He said: "I am delighted to see such strong interest in this project from a host of world class contractors.

"This project will see us complete the vital central belt motorway network and is good news for motorists, for the construction industry and for the Scottish economy. Commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow will see traffic and journey times reduced and road safety improved. Businesses will benefit from increased accessibility and improved ability to transport goods and services quickly and efficiently. Job opportunities will be opened up for construction workers, including the long term unemployed, graduates and apprentices.

"These are tough economic times and decisions are made every day about spending priorities. However, this Government strongly believes that spending on infrastructure projects such as this is key to boosting our economy."

Construction on the project will start late next year and take four years to complete.

The successful contractor will be required to deliver on the job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities.

(NE)