M74 Junction 6 (northbound)

UPDATE (18/11/22): Phase 4 of maintenance on the M74 northbound between Junctions 8 and 6 has been extended by two weeks due to unforeseen operational issues encountered during the excavation of the central reservation to install new barriers. Work is now scheduled to complete on Monday 12th December 2022.

You can read more about this alert at: https://swtrunkroads.scot/scottish-south-west-trunk-roads/m74/

BRIDGE REFURBISHMENT WORKS ON THE M74 AT JUNCTION 6 (NORTHBOUND) COMMENCE MONDAY 1ST AUGUST

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, are undertaking essential bridge refurbishment works on the M74 northbound at Junction 6. This work is the second phase of bridge refurbishments at this location, with the first phase successfully completed on the southbound carriageway in 2021. Phase two will commence on Monday 1st August 2022 for 17 weeks.

This scheme will benefit around 65,000 vehicles using this route each day by prolonging the service life of the structures which carry the M74 and its associated slip roads across Junction 6.

The work will be carried out in four sub-phases using continuous 24/7 traffic management on the northbound carriageway, including contraflow, use of the hard shoulder, and narrow running lanes. A number of average speed cameras shall also be installed during the works.

Signed diversion routes will be in operation throughout and we thank road users for their patience while this essential work is underway.

The programme of works is as follows:

Monday 1st August – Friday 5th August 2022: Preparatory works will take place overnight, between the hours of 10pm and 6pm each night, to allow for road marking adjustments, signage installation, and works to open the centre reservation crossovers.

Sunday 7th August 2022: A contraflow system will be implemented from 8pm on Sunday evening.

The main body of works will commence on Monday 8th August 2022 and have been designed to facilitate continuous traffic flows through the junction and maintain the safety of our workforce. Each individual phase is programmed for completion over a period of 4 weeks.

Monday 8th August – Monday 4th September 2022:

1. The northbound offside lane will be moved into contraflow through the southern crossover point prior to the River Avon and return to the northbound carriageway through the northern crossover point which is adjacent to Hamilton Roadchef Services.

2. Offside lane traffic will be signed as northbound only, with no access to the Junction 6 off-slip roads, however the slip roads will be fully open. Road users will be instructed to follow get into lane signage to leave the M74 northbound via the M74 northbound - A723 off-slip road to Hamilton/Motherwell.

3. The nearside lane will be moved into the hard-shoulder on approach to the River Avon bridge and will continue in the hard-shoulder until the northbound on-slip road from the A723/Motherwell. At this point, traffic will be moved over to the verge via a 75m chicane, which will run past the works area before returning to the existing nearside Lane 1 position via a 150m chicane.

4. A723 - M74 northbound on-slip road from Motherwell traffic will join the M74 using the M74 northbound hardshoulder as a running lane, and will travel past the works area adjacent to the main northbound Lane 1 as a lane gain.

5. A 200m long works exit lane will be established in the off-side lane to allow site traffic to get up to speed before joining the flow of traffic.

Monday 4th September – Monday 2nd October 2022:

1. The northbound offside lane shall be moved into contraflow through the southern crossover point prior to the River Avon and return to the northbound carriageway through the northern crossover point adjacent to Hamilton Roadchef Services.

2. Northbound offside lane traffic will be signed as northbound only with no access to the Junction 6 off-slip roads.

3. The northbound nearside lane shall be moved into offside lane immediately after the offside lane moves into contraflow.

4. Traffic using the northbound carriageway and intending to exit the M74 via the off-slip road to A723 Hamilton/Motherwell will utilise the hard shoulder across the River Avon structure as a live running lane. This will be signed in advance.

5. Mainline northbound M74 traffic will continue in the offside lane until beyond the northern-most works area. Traffic will then move back across into Lane 1 prior to the A723 NB on-slip road from Hamilton.

6. The A723 southbound on-slip road from Motherwell will be brought onto the M74 across the chevron area as a lane gain adjacent to the mainline traffic in the offside lane. Both lanes will be reduced to a width of 3.25m past the works area with a safety zone between.

Monday 2nd October – Monday 30th October 2022:

1. The M74 northbound offside lane will be moved into contraflow through the southern crossover point prior to the River Avon and return to the northbound carriageway through the Northern crossover point adjacent to Hamilton Services.

2. Northbound offside lane traffic will be signed as northbound only with no access to the Junction 6 off-slip roads.

3. The northbound nearside lane will continue through the works in the existing nearside lane position.

4. Traffic using the northbound carriageway and intending to leave the M74 via the off-slip road to A723 Hamilton/Motherwell will utilise a temporary lane provided across the existing chevron area. This will be signed in advance.

5. A temporary vehicle barrier will be installed along the centre line of the structure carrying the M74 Junction 6 northbound - A723 northbound off-slip road to allow work to be carried out on one half of the structure. When complete, the traffic will run on the opposite half. Full traffic flow capacity will be maintained throughout and the slip road will remain fully operational to road users.

Monday 30th October – Monday 28th November 2022:

1. Northbound M74 traffic will continue through the works area using the hardshoulder as a live running lane and a reduced-width nearside lane. This will allow replacement of almost 1km of the centre reservation barrier. A temporary safety barrier system shall be installed between Lanes 1 and 2 to ensure a safe working area in centre reservation.

2. A temporary vehicle barrier will be installed along the centre line of the structure carrying the A723 southbound – M74 northbound on-slip road to allow work to be carried out on one half of the structure. When complete traffic will run on the opposite half. Full traffic flow capacity will be maintained throughout and the slip road will remain fully operational to road users.

Localised overnight only diversions will be put in place on a single evening basis, when required between the above phases to allow for the reconfiguration of traffic management arrangements. These dates will be provided via our FREE roadwork alerts service in due course. Sign-up for roadwork alerts here: https://swtrunkroads.scot/roadwork-alerts/

Diversion 1 - North

Traffic intending to leave the M74 northbound to join the A723 northbound via the slip road will be diverted onto the A723 southbound slip road at the split and will use Hamilton Palace Roundabout to join the A723 southbound. This diversion is estimated to be less than 5 minutes.

Diversion 2 - South

Traffic intending to leave M74 southbound to join the A723 southbound SB will be diverted onto the northbound slip road at the split and will turn right onto Airbles Road. Traffic will continue on Airbles Road for circa 800m. At Airbles Road Roundabout, traffic will be able to join the A723 southbound carriageway. This diversion is estimated to take approximately 7 minutes.

Amey will operate a 24-hour recovery service for the full duration of the works.

STGO haulage travelling north to south will be held at M74 Junction 5 Bothwell southbound services within a designated holding area until it is appropriate to pass through the roadworks area.

Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be erected at strategic locations throughout the surrounding areas to provide road users with options in terms of alternative travel routes to their destinations.

Delays of 12 minutes are anticipated through the works site however during peak AM and PM travel times, traffic levels may increase and travel times could be impacted further. Road users are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys, and consider travelling via an alternative route using the VMS for guidance.

Our operatives will follow strict physical distancing and hygiene protocols throughout the programme, in line with the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 guidance.

Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.

· A free Road Work Alerts service is available from our website: https://swtrunkroads.scot/roadwork-alerts/ An email address is all that is required to sign up for the service.

· To report a problem on the network please visit: https://swtrunkroads.scot/report-a-problem/

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