M80 | Major Works | Delays Expected

Motorists using the M80 this weekend are advised to expect long delays and consider alternative routes for a second weekend, as BEAR Scotland undertakes major refurbishment works on a bridge carrying the motorway over Station Road north of Junction 7, Haggs.

This weekend, 12-15 June, is the second of five weekends in June and July when a contraflow will be in place on the M80 between Junction 6 (Old Inns) and Junction 9 (Pirnhall) with traffic restricted to a single lane in both directions from 19:30 each Friday evening until 06:00 on Monday morning. A reduced speed limit of 40mph will be in force.

Weekend restrictions will also be in place 26-29 June, 3-6 July and 10-13 July to allow these major, essential refurbishment works to take place safely.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “There were significant delays on the route last weekend and we are expecting the contraflow to have an impact on motorists again this weekend.

“Decisions about how to undertake such essential works are never taken lightly. Unfortunately, the location of this bridge, close to one of the busiest junctions in Scotland, where the M80 and the M876 merge, limits potential traffic management options and shows potential delays. We apologise for the unavoidable disruption while these essential works are undertaken.”

“Our advice is to check the latest travel updates, allow extra travel time for journeys, and consider alternative routes during the weekend contraflows.”

The project to refurbish and re-waterproof this bridge is essential to ensuring that it continues to provide a safe and reliable service for years to come. This should reduce the need for reactive closures of the M80 to repair defects caused by underlying bridge deck issues.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the M80 is fully open to traffic each Monday morning at the end of the weekend working.

These works are also weather dependent and so could be postponed and rearranged at short notice depending on weather forecasts.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to share information about this project in advance.

All works are dependent on the weather and the existing condition of the structure, which can’t be fully understood until works commence and intrusive investigations are carried out. As such, the programme of works is subject to postponement, cancellation or rearrangement of dates in the event of adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

This bridge refurbishment project is part of a programme of major works taking place on the M80 until July. Overnight carriageway closures and diversions are scheduled throughout this period.