The first phase of refurbishment works on the Longacre bridge, carrying the M8 motorway over Craigens Road, has been successfully completed by BEAR Scotland. A second phase of similar works is scheduled for the weekend of October 18-21.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays during the second phase, which will involve a contraflow system on the M8 between Junctions 5 and 6. The works will begin at 8:30pm on Friday, 18 October, and continue until 6:00 AM on Monday, 21 October.

The first phase of works included the removal of old surfacing and waterproofing, assessment of the bridge deck, repair of damaged concrete, application of a new waterproofing membrane, installation of new kerbs, and laying of a new surfacing course. The work was completed on schedule, despite some traffic delays due to the contraflow system.

The second phase will focus on the eastbound side of the motorway and will involve similar refurbishment activities. BEAR Scotland is committed to minimising disruptions and ensuring the safety of road users during the project.

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David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: "We are pleased that the first phase of this project went as smoothly as it did and we thank motorists for their understanding during the delays experienced.

"This project to refurbish and re-waterproof the bridge deck is essential to ensuring that this motorway structure will continue to provide safe and reliable service for years to come. It will help to avoid the need for reactive closures of the M8 to undertake surfacing repairs caused by underlying bridge deck issues, as has been the case in previous winters.

"The works have been scheduled over weekends in order to minimise travel disruption as much as possible, with the weekends in question also having been specifically chosen to avoid events taking place in communities along the M8 corridor as much as possible.

"Ahead of the upcoming second phase, we thank motorists again for their patience and understanding and recommend that they check the latest travel updates and allow extra travel time for their journeys during these periods.

"Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that the M8 is fully open to traffic on the Monday morning, the extent of concrete repairs required will not be known until the existing surfacing is removed. These works are also highly weather dependent and so could be postponed and rearranged at short notice depending on weather forecasts."

All work is weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.