Project Details
Description
BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out resurfacing works on the M8 East of Whitburn Westbound (WB) carriageway. The works will involve surface course treatment to mixed depth inlays of 50mm, 130mm and 195mm. The works will involve the reinstatement of road markings and studs for a length of 1550m (1.24ha) on the M8 WB carriageway.
The construction activities for the resurfacing procedure are as follows:
- Set up traffic management (TM) and mark out site.
- Milling of existing bituminous material by road planer.
- Jackhammer and compressor for breaking up surfaces not accessible by planer (e.g. around gullies).
- Loader/excavator used to collect and move excess material.
- Sweeper to collect loose material and provide clean laying surface.
- Milled out/excavated materials all taken off site.
- Tack/bond coat laid.
- Base / binder material laid and compressed by paver (where required).
- Material compacted using a heavy roller.
- New bituminous surface course material laid by paver.
- Material compacted using a heavy roller.
- Mechanical sweeper to collect loose material.
- Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) for removal and replacement of material.
- Road markings and studs applied where necessary (in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 5).
- Remove TM and open road.
The works are currently programmed to be completed within the 2026 / 2027 financial year, with works due to commence on 9th April 2026 for a duration of two nights. TM will involve two full nighttime road closures with a signed diversion in place which will divert M8 westbound traffic off at M8 Junction 3A and onto Starlaw Road (A7066) to rejoin the M8 at Junction 4 westbound onslip. This diversion will add an additional five minutes and 1.7 miles to affected traffic.
Location
The scheme lies on the M8 East of Whitburn Westbound carriageway, northeast of East Whitburn (Figure 1), within West Lothian Council and is predominantly bordered by tree shelterbelt and agricultural land.