Work on Transport Scotland's M80 Stepps – Haggs project took a step forward at the weekend with the start of construction work on the North Road Bridge.

Contractor Highway Management Group (HMG), carried out the first phase of work to replace the existing bridge by installing a temporary structure known as a Bailey Bridge. The delicate operation, carried out overnight, involved sliding the Bailey Bridge out over the carriageway and into place beside the old North Road bridge.

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Transport Scotland's Head of Branch Michelle Rennie, said: "These works are a milestone for the M80 and progress can be seen along the one mile of the new route. The Bailey Bridge will be a temporary feature on the route until the new bridge is completed."

HMG General Manager Hugh O'Connor said: "We are very pleased to have completed this very important element of the works and thank the local community and road users for their patience and understanding."

The temporary bridge will carry a footpath and a single-carriageway road controlled by traffic lights. It replaces the current bridge which has been struck by several over-sized vehicles in recent years.

The existing bridge is expected to be demolished in four weeks time. While this demolition will require further lane closures on the A80, it will be carried out over two weekends in order to maintain one lane of traffic in both directions.

(GK/KMcA)