As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ will this November combine its resurfacing and bridge expansion joint programme for the M8 Eastbound at Woodside Viaduct (Junction 16-17).

These essential programmes are being combined in order to reduce disruption to motorists and businesses in the area. Works will be carried out overnight, minimising the impact on commuters. A similar scheme is being planned for the M8 Westbound Woodside Viaduct for early next year.

Ruairi Dickson, Scotland TranServ’s project design lead on the resurfacing works said:

“The initial resurfacing works will be carried out under a short series of three overnight closures. We’ve been working closely with the local authority, emergency services and key stakeholders to carefully schedule these works. The programme will be delivered ahead of the busy festive period, reducing the impact during the Christmas party season.

“Scotland TranServ will resurface nearly half a kilometre of some of the busiest trunk road in the country, with around 100,000 commuters and businesses using this section of the M8 daily. The project will deliver tangible, long-term improvements for the thousands of motorists using this key strategic route out of the city.”

Further details on the combined programme include:

• Woodside Viaduct Eastbound – Works on this £138k project will be carried out under a series of overnight closures from Saturday 16^th until the early morning of Tuesday 19^th November. Scotland TranServ will resurface 460m of the eastbound carriageway near Cowcaddens

11pm Saturday 16^th to 9am Sunday 17^th November

9pm Sunday 17^th to 6am Monday 18^th November

11pm Monday 18^th to 6am Tuesday 19^th November

• M8 Eastbound Junction 17 to 16 – Replacement of bridge joints on the M8 eastbound at Woodside Viaduct. This £200k first phase of works will be completed ahead of the busy Christmas period

Moira Johnstone, Scotland TranServ’s Bridges Delivery Manager added:

“Altogether we will replace 52 bridge expansion joints as part of this essential project. Working alongside colleagues in structural maintenance allows us to minimise the impact of these works on motorists using this busy section of motorway every day.

“Works to replace 24 bridge expansion joints will be undertaken prior to Christmas, with a further 28 planned for the M8 Westbound early in the new year. The project has been carefully programmed to reduce the impact on the community and businesses.

“Working in consultation with the local authority, emergency services and stakeholders, traffic management has been planned around major events in and around the City Centre, and will only be implemented only once traffic flows are sufficiently low. Works will also be lifted during the Festive period to reduce the impact on late night shoppers and those attending Christmas events. We would like to take this opportunity to thank road users in advance for their patience while this essential programme of work is carried out.”

To keep disruption to a minimum, works will be carried out under the following schedule:

• 11pm to 6am each night from Monday 18^th November until Monday 2^nd December,
  except Saturdays until 8am and Sundays until 9am
• 11pm to 6am Sundays to Thursdays only from Monday 2^nd until Monday 9^th December

All traffic management will be implemented taking into consideration the local events and traffic flows.

The M8 will be closed Eastbound at Junction 17, with motorists diverted along St Georges Road and Phoenix Road, before re-joining the motorway at Junction 16. Drivers are advised to allow some extra time for their journeys. Live trunk road information is available by visiting trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.