Third stage of £40m M74 upgrade gets underway

The surface of the motorway, which is twenty years old in places, is being replaced to improve driving conditions for road users. In order to carry out the work safely, it will be necessary to use road closures at the relevant points. The majority of these will be carried out at night so that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

We are working with communities along the route to let them know about the work and the improvements that it will help deliver. We also letting them know where they can get information about the work and how they can access journey planning tools.

A spokesperson for TS and Autolink said:

“The third phase of this significant package of improvements is getting underway on the March 29 and work will be carried out at various locations on the M74 between Gretna and Millbank over the next six months.

“It is the third phase of a five year project and when the full programme is complete road users can look forward to more than 80 miles of new road surface, that is the equivalent of 200 football fields.

“The busy route carries more than 30,000 vehicles a day and is the main route between the Borders and the central belt so we are working closely with local communities to make sure they know what is going on as the works are delivered.

“We are doing all we can to minimise disruption but we need to use traffic management and a speed limit of 40 mph keep our workers and road users safe.

“We urge drivers to plan their journeys in advance using all the available information such as Traffic Scotland website and radio bulletins. Motorists should allow extra time for their journeys or consider using an alternative route while the works are carried out.”

Ends

Notes to editors

  1. The section of road between the English Border and Junction 12 (Millbank) is operated and maintained by Autolink which started in 1997.
  1. Phase 1 of these works started on the 30th June 2012. The 2014 works programme is year 3 of a 5 year programme of improvements.
  1. These are the first major repairs to be carried out on the route since 1997.
  1. The phases of planned work for 2014 are outlined in a location plan which is available from the Transport Scotland News Team on 0141 272 7195.


Published 14 Mar 2014 Tags