Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has visited a construction site on the £500 million M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project.

The Minister viewed progress being made on a 5km section of the new motorway between Shawhead Junction and Baillieston Interchange.

The development is being built by Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), with its main contractors Ferrovial Lagan and Amey. So far, numerous construction milestones have been completed including the new 2,000 tonne Braehead Rail Bridge.

New drone footage released by Transport Scotland shows 5km of new pedestrian and cycle routes running parallel to the new motorway. Overall, the routes form part of a 16km system which is being created to link with existing walking/cycling paths.

Once completed, the M8/M73/M74 project will reduce congestion across the central Scotland motorway network, and improve the travel time between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

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Minister Yousaf said: "This drone footage provides the public with a unique perspective of these major construction works that are currently underway to improve the connection between Glasgow and Edinburgh, but are largely out of sight to road users on the existing A8.

"The significant progress achieved is clear to see, and as we enter the final phase of works along the A8 corridor, I hope the public can be reassured that once complete, the benefits will far outweigh the current disruption."

Dario Saavedra, Construction Manager on the scheme, added: "Now in its final phase of construction, road users can begin to visualise the new Shawhead Junction, with the structures carrying the new North Road and widened A725 in their final alignment.

"Shawhead Junction has been very challenging due to high volumes of traffic on all approaches, but we have worked hard to minimise disruption to the public as much as possible.

"The video shows the greenfield section of works almost complete and people will now be able to picture how the finished M8 motorway will look for the first time. The footage also shows how the new M8 will tie into the upgraded Baillieston Interchange, while the existing A8 will connect with the A89 via a newly constructed roundabout at Bargeddie."

Work on the section between Shawhead Junction and Baillieston Interchange is due to be completed by spring 2017.

(LM)