M74 Raith Interchange

Project Summary:

Decreasing queues of traffic on the A725 Bellshill and Bothwell approaches, and on the M74 ramps that connect to the junction.

What's involved?
The aim of the project is to decrease queues of traffic on the A725 Bellshill and Bothwell approaches, and on the M74 ramps that connect to the junction.

This project involves -

Providing a separate route for all A725 traffic wanting to pass directly through the M74 at the Raith Interchange Roundabout
Taking the A725 under the roundabout and the M74
Enlarging the roundabout to include additional slip roads to be connected from the A725
Adding a direct connection to the roundabout from Hamilton

Project benefits
Decreasing queues of traffic on the A725 Bellshill and Bothwell approaches, and on the M74 ramps that connect to the junction.

Status
These details are available from the programme document

Impact on travel
The proposed changes would allow the Raith Interchange to cope with traffic increases by 2010 without significant delays

Environmental impact
The environmental impact of the project is determined by its location next to the River Clyde and the flood plain. Improvements will be restrained by the surrounded protected nature sites.

Proposed route
The preferred junction solution involves providing a through link for A725 two-way traffic, generally on the alignment of the existing A725 by means of an underpass.

The proposed A725 link would be constructed below the existing circulatory carriageway of the Raith Junction and continue below the M74 at a significant depth, generally six to eight metres below the existing ground level and gaving a maximum depth of ten to eleven metres beneath the M74.

Having crossed beneath the M74 and Raith roundabout, the A725 then has to climb continuously to connect back into the existing A725. Significant structures are required to cross beneath the Raith roundabout twice and the M74 at depth. Retaining walls are also necessary to accommodate the slip roads from and to the proposed A725.

Benefits of the proposed solution

In terms of the environment: