The new M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh is to open later this month, Economy Secretary Keith Brown has announced.

The so-called 'missing link' has been built as part of the £500 million M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project.

A diversion of the A8/M8 was implemented in mid-February to facilitate construction works to connect the new M8 Motorway into the existing A8/M8 carriageway at Baillieston.

Once opened, new route will upgrade the M8 with uninterrupted motorway for the first time in its history.

Making the announcement today, 12 April, Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the new M8 will begin its phased opening on Sunday, 23 April; five days ahead of schedule.

"The new M8 will be a major milestone in what is a massive transport infrastructure project and I'm pleased to say the phased opening will start five days ahead of schedule," he said.

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"We are now close to seeing the culmination of three years of construction works and half a billion pounds worth of investment to improve this vital link between Scotland's biggest cities.

"This investment will make a tangible difference to our economy, improving business links and connectivity, as well as reducing journey times for road users who rely on this route for part of their daily commutes."

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland Project Manager for the M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project, added: "While the full benefits of the new M8 will not be realised until completion of all junctions and project roads, commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow should experience a vast improvement to their journeys between Newhouse and Baillieston Interchange.

"When the new M8 opens, pressure on the A8 will ease, allowing the contractor to focus on completing the upgrade of the existing A8 and linking it to the new all-purpose road, which is a continuation of the A8 at Eurocentral."

The motorway improvement scheme is being delivered by the Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) consortium, consisting of Cintra, Amey, Meridiam and Aberdeen Asset Management.

It is the first of a combined £1.7 billion investment in construction being delivered this financial year by Transport Scotland on Scotland's roads network on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

(LM/MH)