M74 closure this weekend – J4 Maryville to J5 Raith

Transport Scotland is reminding motorists to expect significant delays on the M74 and surrounding roads as the motorway is closed from Junction 4 Maryville to Junction 5 Raith this weekend (18-21st Nov).  

As part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, the M74 will be closed to traffic in both directions this weekend - from 8pm on Friday 18th November to 6am on Monday 21st November 2016. This closure is required to safely demolish Bothwellpark Road Bridge.

The bridge, located to the north of M74 Junction 5, Raith, is the final structure to be demolished as part of this £500m infrastructure improvement project which is being delivered by Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland Project Manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “This is the most significant road closure we have implemented as part of the works and we are anticipating major delays on all approaches, the surrounding roads and the main diversion route.

“We are advising road users to plan their journey, avoid the area and surrounding local roads, and if possible, to use alternative modes of transport for the weekend.”

The weekend closure will result in no access from the M73 to the M74 southbound at Junction 4 Maryville or to the M74 northbound at Junction 5, Raith.

Signed diversion routes will be in place via the A725, A8 and the M73, although Transport Scotland is warning road users to expect major delays on all surrounding routes as a result of the M74 closure.

Motorists will continue to have access to the M74 southbound at Junction 5 Raith, and the M74 northbound at Junctions 4 Maryville and 3A Daldowie, however, there will be no access to Bothwell Services from the M74 southbound. The next available service area is the M74 southbound at Junction 11, Happendon and Junction 13, Abington.

In a bid to reduce local traffic congestion, South Lanarkshire Council has promoted a parking restriction on a short section of Main Street, Bothwell, for the duration of the weekend closure and traffic signals will be monitored at key junctions on the surrounding road network to improve traffic flows.

In addition, Scotrail is anticipating increased passenger numbers on Lanarkshire railway services and is providing extra capacity on the trains for the weekend.

When complete, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will significantly reduce congestion across the central Scotland motorway network, shaving approximately 20 minutes off the daily commute from Glasgow to Edinburgh and 15 minutes through Raith Junction 5.

Further information on this weekend’s closure can be obtained at http://www.transport.gov.scot/m74closure or visit the Traffic Scotland website for live traffic updates; www.trafficscotland.org


Published 15 Nov 2016