WATCH: Drone swoops in on M8 roadwork progress
Ever wonder what’s really going on with the M8 roadworks?
Ever wonder what’s really going on with the M8 roadworks?
Well now you can take a look…
Drone footage has been released giving us a first look at the 5km section stretch of road that’s currently being laid between the Shawhead Junction and Baillieston Interchange.
£500-million pounds is being spent on the M8, M73, M74 Motorway Improvements Project.
This newly constructed section of the M8 motorway will see three lanes of traffic travelling in each direction, along with two additional lanes on the A8, separating traffic travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Transport Minister Humza 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. I’d like to thank road users for their patience to date and would ask that they bear with us during this final push to complete the M8 missing link.”
The footage also shows 5km of new pedestrian and cycle routes which run parallel to the new motorway.
Dario Saavedra, is the Construction Manager: “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.”
The latest section of the new M8 is due to be completed by Spring 2017.
Gabriel Valtueña-Ramos, SRP General Manager added: “We commissioned this footage to provide the public with a bird’s-eye view of how the project is progressing on the new M8 between Shawhead Junction and Baillieston Interchange.
“As this section nears completion, it’s much easier to visualise the finished road, and as the construction heads into its final stages, road users will continue to see the new benefits as each major milestone is completed.”