The M74 completion will provide the “missing link” in Glasgow’s transport system, easing congestion on key routes through the city centre and encouraging urban regeneration in the West of Scotland. 22 June 2011
The new route is expected to have a major impact on the city
centre, improving travel times with better connections between the
M77, the M8 and the M74 and increasing economic opportunities
around the city.
Connecting the Clyde
The M74 links with the M8 at the Kingston Junction, just south
of the Kinston Bridge, right in the heart of Clyde Waterfront
territory. Although the majority of the 5 mile route lies beyond
the Clyde Waterfront area, the new link is an important development
for local transport infrastructure and is expected to bring
significant benefits to the surrounding areas.
Ahead of schedule and under budget
The M74 Completion scheme will open 8 months early is expected
to be between £15 and £20 million under budget. Announcing the
savings, Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and
Capital Investment said robust management of the project by
Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government had
delivered significant savings for the taxpayer.
Mr Neil also praised public and private sector partners such as
contractor Interlink M74 on delivering the road substantially ahead
of schedule. Mr Neil said: ""When it opens on 28 June, the new
route will provide improved access to economic, employment and
education opportunities for the people of Scotland. It will also
bring enormous potential for further urban regeneration programmes
in the west of Scotland, many of which are already in
development."
The construction of the M74 completion was a joint venture
between Morrison Construction, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and
Sir Robert McAlpine, four of the country's leading civil
engineering contractors.
Getting on the road
Visit
Transport Scotland for detailed information about the new road,
including a map and information about each of the new junctions.
The new road is expected to remove considerable volume on traffic
from the M8 in Glasgow, which is a known congestion hotspot.
Made from recycled material
Over 2.1 million tonnes of recycled material has been used in
the construction of the M74 completion - making it one of
Scotland's biggest ever uses of recycled materials in a modern day
transport project. Three quarters of the 2.5 million tonnes of
material required for construction was sourced from within 15 miles
of the project, and also included thousands of tonnes of earth
given a clean bill of health from a 'soil hospital'.
Over 80,000 trees have been planted along with 200,000 plants to
create diverse wildlife habitats. 7 new ponds will filter and
clean water as it drains from the motorway.
New jobs predicted
THE new M74 motorway extension could be the catalyst for
boosting the economy and creating 20,000 new jobs in the area.
Already, negotiations are well advanced for a new business park in
the Clyde Gateway regeneration area, which could lead to 700 new
jobs.
Wide ranging benefits
The benefits of the project are laid out on the
Transport Scotland website. They include helping to grow
Scotland's economy and bringing new jobs along the route, reducing
road accidents and improving the environment.