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Home › Road › Road projects › Trunk road projects › M80 Stepps to Haggs › Construction Progress › construction progress archive

Construction Progress Archive

See below for previous M80 construction updates.

February 2011

Stepps to Mollinsburn

First vehicles travel on new Bypass on
8 February 2011

Progress on this section of the Project is clear for all to see with the new Moodiesburn Bypass opened to traffic in early February 2011. The new bypass links with the existing M80 just east of Junction 2 Robroyston and ties in with the existing A80 east of Mollinsburn.

The bypass opened to traffic in two phases; northbound on 8 February and southbound on 13 February.

This is a significant achievement for the project as it opens a completely new section of road to traffic and significantly reduces traffic flows on the existing A80 past the communities of Muirhead, Chryston and Moodiesburn.

With traffic now using the new bypass this will permit the works to complete the new Hornshill Roundabout and Crowwood to Hornshill Link to progress during the Spring of 2011.

The significant reduction in traffic flows using the existing A80 between Crowwood and Mollinsburn will also enable refurbishment works to commence on this section of the A80 in the coming months.

Lindsaybeg Road Overbridge

Lindsaybeg Road Overbridge

This bridge was completed in August 2010 and the new Lindsaybeg Road (B816) was opened to traffic in early November 2010. The road is currently open under a 40mph traffic layout to enable the safe completion of the final tie-in with the existing road. These final roadworks are planned to be complete by early Spring 2011.

Kelvin Valley Footbridge

The new Kelvin Valley Footbridge is open to the public. Following erection of the bridge span in Autumn 2010 the new footpath/cycleway connecting to the bridge was completed and opened prior to Christmas 2010. Finishing works to the verges and landscape areas along the footpaths will continue as weather permits and will be completed in Spring 2011.

Auchengeich Road Overbridge

This bridge is now complete and is providing pedestrian access over the new Moodiesburn Bypass. Construction of the new road on approach and over the new bridge is ongoing. The new road is expected to open in early Spring 2011.

Mollinsburn Interchange

M73 Links, northbound traffic now
diverted and existing bridge demolition
commenced

The new Mollinsburn Interchange is the most complex section of the M80 Project. At this new interchange the M80 provides links to the M73 and surrounding local access roads to Westfield, Mollinsburn and Gartferry. While significant progress has been made since the Autumn Update, works to complete the interchange will be ongoing into Summer 2011.

Significant changes in the traffic layout have been implemented to permit the opening of the Moodiesburn Bypass and the next phase of construction of the new Interchange. Up to date information on the traffic layout is available on the traffic management page.

Following the demolition of the old Mollinsburn Road Bridge significant road construction has been undertaken in this area to allow the new traffic layout. As the M73 northbound traffic is now travelling on the new southbound slip road, demolition of the existing bridge over the A80, that previously carried the M73 northbound slip road, is being progressed and will be completed in March 2011.

Construction of the new M73 northbound off -slip road and roundabout to link with the local road network at the eastern extent of Moodiesburn is also being progressed following removal of the traffic from the existing A80 at this location.

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge, Mollinsburn to Gartferry Link Road Overbridge and M73/M80 Link Overbridge

A gantry sign on the new Moodiesburn
Bypass

All three of the above new bridges are part of the new Mollinsburn Interchange and are open to traffic, which facilitates the ongoing construction of the Interchange. Some finishing works remain to be completed on these structures and their roads.

Mollinsburn to Auchenkilns

Both northbound and southbound traffic continue to travel on the new M80 northbound carriageway, following its completion in August 2010. Construction of the new southbound carriageway in this section has been ongoing since this time and continues to progress. Parts of this new southbound carriageway should be available for traffic during Spring 2011.

Luggie Water Culvert

Traffic has been using the northern half of this new bridge since August 2010. Demolition and removal of the remaining existing structure was undertaken in Autumn 2010. The construction of the southern half of the structure is now complete; with the concrete deck formed in January 2011. Completion of the road construction on either side of the bridge is ongoing.

North Road Overbridge

North Road Overbridge

Following diversion of the A80 southbound traffic onto the new northbound carriageway in August 2010 the southern span of this new bridge was able to be constructed. The steel deck beams were lifted into place in August 2010 and the concrete deck and road construction were completed to allow traffic over the new bridge in January 2011. The traffic is currently operating one-way only under traffic light control over the new bridge due to ongoing works on the south approach to the bridge. This traffic layout should be in place until early Spring 2011 when these works are planned to be complete.

The temporary bridge used to maintain this local link road during the replacement of the North Road Bridge was removed during February 2011, following the opening of the new bridge.

Low Woods Bridges

Bridge refurbishment and strengthening works on the Low Woods bridges have progressed well. These essential works will continue from January 2011 to completion in Spring 2011. Two temporary traffic layouts will be required over this period with contraflow operating on each road in turn to facilitate work to the other bridge. Refer to the traffic management page for the current layout.

Auchenkilns to Haggs

Construction of the new M80 southbound carriageway and verge widening works from Auchenkilns to Haggs is now nearing completion. Construction of the new M80 northbound carriageway is complete from Forest Road to Castlecary and is well advanced in the other areas. The A8011 (Wilderness Brae) is now fully open to traffic, with the new permanent traffic signals at Old Inns Junction in operation.

Dullatur Road Underbridge

The refurbishment works to the southbound carriageway bridge deck and road pavement are complete and this is open to traffic. Similar works to the verge edge beam of the north deck were completed in January 2011 and the work required to the central reserve edge beam is being progressed.. This work will be ongoing until May 2011.

Old Inns Underbridge

Old Inns Underbridge

The structural refurbishment and strengthening works to this bridge are now complete. Road carriageway works over the newly refurbished bridge will be ongoing until April 2011 with traffic layouts to suit this work.

Forest Road Underbridge

Similar to Dullatur Road Bridge, the southbound carriageway bridgeworks and road carriageway reconstruction are complete. Works to the verge edge beam of the north deck were completed in November 2010 and the work required to the central reserve edge beam is being progressed. This work will be ongoing until March 2011.

Castlecary Viaduct Pier Protection

Construction works to protect the Viaduct piers are complete at three of the four required locations; adjacent to Walton Road, the M80 southbound carriageway and the M80 northbound carriageway. Pier protection works adjacent to the new northbound Emergency Lane will be completed following realignment of the Castlecary Road.

Seabegs Bridge

Essential strengthening and refurbishment works to the existing Seabegs Bridge, which carries the B816 Castlecary Road between Castlecary and Allandale, has commenced. These works necessitate a six week closure of the Castlecary Road, commencing 28 February 2011 to allow safe completion of the works. A temporary shuttle bus will be provided on each side of the road closure to link with the existing bus services and maintain access for both Castlecary and Allandale residents.

Glenview Avenue Overbridge – complete and opened to traffic in July 2010

Kilsyth Road Overbridge

Construction works to provide new approach walls and parapets to this bridge are progressing. The new parapets are nearing completion and the southern approach walls are due for completion at the end of February 2011. Works will then begin on the new northern approach walls and will be ongoing till May 2011. Kilsyth Road remains open for vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout these works.

Redburn Culvert Extension

Redburn Culvert Extension being
constructed through Castlecary Arches

Works to provide a new supporting structure for the realigned Castlecary Road through an arch of the existing viaduct is reaching an advanced stage. The extension of the existing Redburn Culvert is now complete and the new bridge deck support for the new road has also been constructed. Works have commenced on the walls to support the new road on approach to this bridge structure. A significant part of the new road construction will be undertaken during the six week closure of the Castlecary Road, which is necessary for the works to the existing Seabegs Bridge, as described above.

January 2011

North Road Bridge opens

A major milestone for the M80 Stepps to Haggs project has been reached. The new North Road Bridge opened this week.
Initially the new bridge will be opened under temporary traffic light control, while finishing works are completed on North Road and on the bridge itself. The temporary traffic lights will remain in operation until early Spring, at which time the bridge will be fully opened to all traffic, allowing users to benefit from the full reinstatement of this important local route.

North Road Bridge aerial view

Michelle Rennie, Transport Scotland's Project Manager for the M80 Stepps to Haggs project said:

"Throughout the construction of this new bridge we worked closely with the contractor to ensure that local people were still able to go about their business with the minimum of disruption, whilst the construction works were underway.

"We look forward to being able to open the bridge fully in the Spring and the contractor is to be congratulated on achieving this important milestone in this major road project which is on schedule to be completed in the Autumn."

Roger Whiston HMC Project Director said:

"The construction of the North Road Bridge has presented several challenges, not least of which was ensuring continued local access along North Road and the phased construction to suit the A80 traffic. I am pleased these challenges have been overcome to provide this new improved bridge at North Road for the benefit of all users".

The new bridge is 67 metres in length to span over the M80 motorway below, which is twice as wide as the old A80 at this location. The bridge also provides an improved road width for traffic on North Road and 2.5m wide footways on both sides of the road.

The temporary Bailey Bridge structure that has been in place to maintain traffic flows between Westfield and Condorrat, whilst the new bridge was constructed, will be dismantled and removed over the weeks following the opening of the new bridge.

Autumn 2010 update

Stepps to Mollinsburn

The new M80 carriageway construction, from the Hornshill Junction (Stepps) to Mollinsburn has made significant progress since the Transport Minister's visit in May this year to view the first laying of the tarmac on this new section of the motorway. The majority of the road construction over this length of the new motorway has been completed and works are now progressing on the road markings, signage and other finishing works and on the final tie in to the complex interchange at the M73/M80 Mollinsburn area.

Road construction at the new Hornshill Junction area has also progressed well. The B757 link road from the new Hornshill Junction towards Kirkintilloch is now well advanced and due to be completed in November 2010.

New Hornshill Junction Overbridges
(existing and new)

New Hornshill Junction Overbridge

Construction of this new bridge is now complete. The remaining works to tie in the new bridge and sections of the new road carriageway into the surrounding link roads will be progressed to suit phasing of the traffic operations.

Lindsaybeg Road Overbridge

This bridge structure was completed in August 2010 and work is now concentrated on completing earth embankments on approach to the new bridge and constructing the road, to allow completion of the new Lindsaybeg Road, (B819) over the bridge. This new road is currently planned to be completed by December 2010.

Kelvin Valley Footbridge

Kelvin Valley Footbridge

The concrete end supports to the new footbridge were completed in August and the new steel bridge erected shortly thereafter. The earth embankment approach ramps and construction of the footpath/cycleway to the bridge are nearing completion and stonework finishing to the end supports is ongoing. All work is scheduled to be completed in November 2010 and the footpath will be opened soon after.

Auchengeich Road Overbridge

The concrete bridge deck and approach slabs were competed in August. The earth approach embankments are now progressing well with completion of all roadwork and finishes planned for December 2010. Following completion of the remaining works it is planned to re-open Auchengeich Road to traffic in late 2010 or early 2011.

Mollinsburn Interchange

The new Mollinsburn Interchange is one of the most complex sections of the M80 Project. At this new interchange the M80 provides links to the M73 and surrounding local access roads to Westfield, Mollinsburn and Moodiesburn. Works to complete the interchange have progressed significantly since the summer and will be ongoing through the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.

The new Mollinsburn Interchange (M73/M80)

Several phases of traffic diversions have permitted the new road construction to progress and result in the permanent closure of some of the existing local roads in this vicinity and the opening of new local roads as part of the development of this new Interchange. Traffic is now travelling on the new Westfield link road, the new Mollinsburn to Gartferry link road and the new southbound slip road to the M73.

Demolition of the existing Mollinsburn Road Bridge has commenced following the permanent diversion of traffic from this structure onto the new local roads.

New Mollinsburn Link Overbridge

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge

Construction of this bridge over the line of the new M80 motorway was completed in July, which allowed completion of service diversions and road construction over the bridge. Traffic was diverted onto the new Westfield Link Road, over this bridge, in September, which permitted the closure of the old Mollins Road. With the Old Mollins Road closed excavation and construction for the new M80 through this area has made significant progress.

Mollinsburn to Gartferry Link Road Overbridge

Structural works at this bridge were also completed in August and this was also followed by the construction of earth embankments to the north and south. The construction of the southern embankment marked the end of an extensive period of civil engineering works at this location. Due to existing ground conditions below the southern approach embankment a system of concrete piles was installed to form a ‘platform' which will provide support to the new embankment.

The progress of this bridge allowed the new Mollinsburn to Gartferry Link Road to opened to traffic on 8th October 2010 and facilitated the start of the demolition of the existing Mollinsburn Road Overbridge, a significant step towards completion of the new M73 link into new M80.

M73/M80 Link Overbridge

New M73/M80 Link Overbridge

Structural works to this new bridge were completed in August and were followed by the construction of earth embankments to the north and part of the earth embankment to the south of the bridge. These embankments will carry the new northbound M73 slip road, which will cross over the new M80 on this bridge. The southern approach embankment will be completed following the demolition of the existing Mollinsburn Road Overbridge, which is currently underway.

Mollinsburn to Auchenkilns

Construction of the new M80 northbound carriageway and the new Low-Wood northbound off-slip have been completed in this section of the Scheme. Both northbound and southbound traffic was diverted onto the newly constructed carriageway in August 2010. This traffic switch permitted the start of major works on the new M80 southbound carriageway and the works on structures within this section to progress.

Luggie Water Culvert

Luggie Water Culvert

Construction of the northern half of the new M80 structure was completed in July which allowed the diversion of northbound and southbound traffic across it in August 2010. Following this traffic diversion demolition of the remainder of the existing culvert under the old southbound carriageway was commenced, along with the construction of the new southern half of this structure. The demolition work is now complete and works to complete the new southern half of the structure are well advanced.

Completion of the separate bridge structure to carry the M73/M80 link road over the Luggie Water at this location is also nearing completion.

North Road Overbridge

New North Road Bridge
with south spans beams erected

Following the diversion of traffic onto the new M80 northbound carriageway, the remaining steel bridge beams were placed in August. This has been followed by the construction of the concrete bridge deck which is nearing completion. Completion of the road carriageway over the bridge is progressing and this will allow the opening of the new bridge, and the removal of the temporary bridge, which is scheduled for November 2010.

Auchenkilns to Haggs

Construction of the new southbound carriageway and verge widening works from Auchenkilns to Haggs are nearing completion. Following recent traffic diversions, construction of the northbound carriageway is well underway.

Dullatur Road Underbridge

Works to the edge beams of both the north and south bridges at this location have progressed and are due for completion in November 2010. Once these edge works are complete the final part of the refurbishment and strengthening works at this structure will be on the central reserve beams and it is anticipated these works will be ongoing until March 2011.

Old Inns Underbridge

Old Inns Underbridge

Structural Works to the central reserve beams were completed prior to traffic diversions to allow similar works to both the south and north bridges edge beams. These structural works are now nearing completion and will be followed by road carriageway works shortly thereafter.

Forest Road Underbridge

This structure was widened under the southbound carriageway earlier this year, and traffic was then diverted to allow the widening of the structure under the northbound carriageway. This work has progessed well and will be followed by similar construction work under the central area of the bridge. Works at this structure are programmed for completion in February 2011.

Castlecary Viaduct Pier Protection

Works to construct the protection to the Viaduct pier adjacent to Walton Road have been completed. Future traffic management will facilitate the completion of the other pier protection works necessary for the Scheme, and the works will be undertaken to suit the traffic operations.

Glenview Avenue Overbridge

New Glenview Avenue Overbridge,
looking West

The works to replace Glenview Avenue Bridge have been completed and the new bridge was opened under traffic light control in June 2010 and fully opened in July 2010.

Kilsyth Road Overbridge

Construction works to provide new walls on the M80 approach to the bridge and new bridge parapets have progressed and continue to progress well. These new works and refurbishment works to areas of the bridge are being undertaken in a phased manner to allow the bridge to remain open for use and to suit the traffic operation on the A80 below. Works will be ongoing on this structure until March 2011.

Haggs Retaining Wall

The new concrete retaining wall at the Haggs Junction is now complete, and this has allowed construction of the realigned Haggs on slip road to be completed also.

Redburn Culvert Extension - works to
support a realigned Castlecary Road
through existing arch continues

Redburn Culvert Extension

Works are ongoing to provide a new supporting structure for the realigned Castlecary Road through an arch of the existing viaduct. The extension of the existing Redburn Culvert structure is nearing completion and the structure works to support the new roadway have advanced, with substructure works near complete.

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July 2010

Auchengeich Road Bridge

Auchengeich Road Bridge
The concrete deck of the Auchengeich Road Bridge was completed in late June 2010, following a busy period of erecting the temporary support structure and installing the reinforcement steel. Works to this new bridge commenced in February 2010, with the permanent bridge supports completed by April 2010. The finishing works for the structure should be complete by September 2010.

Filling works will be ongoing on the approaches to the new bridge throughout the summer months to allow construction of the new road. It is currently targeted that the works will be complete by December 2010 which will allow the opening of Auchengeich Road.

Glenview Bridge

Aerial photo of the Glenview Bridge
with one lane open for traffic
Works to Glenview Bridge are now substantially completed with one lane of the bridge opened to traffic, controlled by traffic lights, in late June 2010. Pedestrians and cyclists are also able to use the bridge which should be fully opened to two-way traffic by the end of July 2010. The reconstruction of Glenview Bridge was carried out in 4 phases which involved complex traffic management schemes to minimise the disruption to traffic flows on the existing A80, over which Glenview Bridge spans.

The 4 phases of the works were as follows:

  • Demolition of existing bridge in August 2009
  • Diversion of A80 traffic towards the centre of the carriageway to allow construction of the new North and South abutments
  • Once the new abutments were complete, the traffic on the A80 was then diverted to the outside carriageways to provide a safe working space to construct the new central pier
  • Installation of prefabricated steel deck beams was successfully carried out over the weekend of 10th April, 2010, and this allowed the subsequent insitu concrete deck construction works to commence

Deck concrete was completed in early May 2010, and works to the parapets and deck finishes progressed well throughout May. The associated tie-in works to Glenview Avenue continued throughout June, and final completion of all the finishing works should allow two-way traffic over the bridge by the end of July 2010. 

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Spring 2010 update

Stepps to Mollinsburn

Road construction at the Hornshill Interchange area is progressing well. Works are ongoing in the verges and a traffic management switchover is targeted for May 2010, to complete centre carriageway works.
Construction has already commenced on the Hornshill B757 link road which is due to be completed by mid-summer 2010.

The main M80 carriageway construction, from the Hornshill Junction to Lindsaybeg Road, remains on programme to be complete by late autumn 2010.

Mollinsburn Interchange

Mollinsburn Interchange - aerial view
west

The new Mollinsburn Interchange is one of the most complex sections of the M80 Project. At this new interchange the M80 provides links to the M73 and surrounding local access roads to Westfield, Mollinsburn and Gartferry. Works to complete the interchange will be ongoing throughout 2010. Works on the M73 will recommence in May 2010 with major works continuing throughout the summer months.

New Hornshill Junction Overbridge

Construction of this bridge is well advanced with the concrete deck formed in March; this will now be followed by finishing of the deck edges and backfill to the bridge abutments.

Lindsaybeg Road Overbridge

Works are well underway at this bridge with pier construction complete and earthworks operations commencing to allow construction of the concrete end supports to the bridge. Overall structural completion is due late summer, with the new Lindsaybeg Road, B819, to be completed by late autumn.

Kelvin Valley Footbridge

Piling works and the construction of the end support slabs have now been completed and are ready for the installation of the structural steelwork which is to be erected in July 2010.

Auchengeich Road Overbridge

Following completion of the bridge substructure, erection of temporary supports for construction of the concrete bridge deck is due to be completed during April and May. Overall structural completion is programmed for late August 2010.

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge - temporary
supports in place for concrete deck
construction

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge

The concrete deck was formed in late March and the removal of temporary supports will commence after the concrete has gained sufficient strength. Following completion of the deck works the road carriageway construction will commence.

M73/M80 Link Overbridge

Works are now well advanced following the installation of steel bridge beams to the M73/M80 link overbridge. Construction of the deck is now underway with the concrete deck pour planned for mid-May.

Mollinsburn Overbridge

Following the installation of the steel bridge beams and completion of on-site welding operations, the temporary support has now been removed, allowing traffic restrictions to be reduced. Earthworks operations will commence behind both ends of the bridge during April 2010.

Mollinsburn to Auchenkilns

Construction works between the Mollinsburn Interchange and the Auchenkilns interchange are now well advanced. The construction of the new northbound carriageway is targeted for completion by late spring 2010, which will allow traffic to be switched and the construction of the new southbound carriageway to commence. The A80 Low Woods diverge to the A8011 was closed for a period of approximately 10 weeks, commencing in April, to enable construction of the new slip road.

Luggie Water Culvert - temporary works
for abutment construction

Luggie Water Culvert

Construction of the end supports to the northern structure are currently underway and the installation of concrete deck beams is planned for late April. Following this, earthworks and carriageway construction will be undertaken and both A80 northbound and southbound traffic will be diverted over this structure. Following this traffic diversion, construction of the southern section of this crucial structure will commence with the aim to alleviate this bottle-neck restriction within the site.

North Road Overbridge

Steel bridge beams were erected in March over the future M80 northbound carriageway. The construction of the south end supports is nearing completion, and once traffic is diverted onto the new northbound carriageway the remaining beams are planned for erection over the southbound carriageway in early summer 2010.

Auchenkilns to Haggs

Roadworks from Auchenkilns to Haggs have been ongoing since April 2009 and are well advanced on the new southbound carriageway. Southbound verge widening works from Haggs to Castlecary Arches are continuing whilst works on the northbound carriageway will commence in summer 2010.

Dullatur Road Underbridge

Construction works to the edge of the southbound bridge were completed in March 2010 with traffic now switched to facilitate works to the central reserve. Demolition works for removal of the existing central reserve edge beam on the southbound deck are complete.

Old Inns Underbridge

The central reserve edge beams to both the southbound and northbound decks have been completed with works ongoing on the central reserve deck slab. Works to the edges of both the southbound and northbound bridges will commence simultaneously once the central reserve is completed and traffic switched.

Forest Road Underbridge - installation
of surfacing immediately prior to
traffic switch

Forest Road Underbridge

Construction works to the edge of the southbound bridge were completed in February with traffic switched to this side to facilitate works to the central reserve. Demolition works for the removal of the existing central reserve edge beam are currently ongoing.

Castlecary Viaduct Pier Protection

Works to construct protection to the Viaduct pier, adjacent to Walton Road, have commenced and future traffic management will facilitate the completion of these works and the commencement of works to the A80 southbound carriageway.

Glenview Bridge, looking north

Glenview Avenue Overbridge

The bridge supports have been completed and the steel deck beams have been erected. Works to complete the concrete deck are ongoing.

Kilsyth Road Overbridge

Site investigation works to confirm the existing bridge details and the position of utilities crossing the bridge have been completed. Construction works for new approach walls and parapets will commence in May. Traffic management has been installed during nightshifts in preparation of construction works.

Haggs Retaining Wall

Structural concrete works to this retaining wall have been completed, with waterproofing and finishes currently underway prior to installation of wall drainage and backfill.

Redburn Culvert Extension

Works are well established with piling and foundation works progressing in the burn and adjacent to the Castlecary Viaduct. On completion of piling works, reinforced concrete retaining walls and a deck slab will be commenced. Upon completion of the culvert extension reinforced earth abutments will be constructed to allow the re-alignment of Castlecary Road through the arch adjacent to the current road alignment.

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October/ November 2009 update 

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge

Mollinsburn Link Overbridge

Pier construction completed at the Mollinsburn Link Overbridge. This structure will carry the new Westfield Link Road over the M80, improving access to the industrial estate.

Mollinsburn Overbridge

Mollinsburn Overbridge

HMC have completed piling works to the Mollinsburn Overbridge. When completed this structure  will provide access from the Gartferry Rd to Mollinsburn over the new extended section of the M73.

Luggie Water Underbridge

Luggie Water Underbridge

HMC successfully completed the installation of precast concrete beams for the Luggie Water Underbridge. This bridge structure across the Luggie Water forms part of the new Westfield Link Rd.

M73/M80 Link Overbridge

M73/ M80 Link Overbridge

Ongoing construction of the reinforced concrete leaf piers at the M73/M80 Link Overbridge. This structure will carry northbound traffic from the M73 over the new M80.  

October 2009 update 

Stepps to Mollinsburn

Advanced works on this green field section of the project, including utility diversions, fencing, topsoil strip and environmental mitigation measures such as noise bunds have now been completed.

Earthworks are progressing well, enabling the commencement of works on several of the concrete structures required to allow the new motorway to cross local roads and watercourses.

Hornshill

Currently northbound traffic travelling from Glasgow has been diverted onto a new route to approach the Crowwood roundabout.
 
This has enabled the construction of the Hornshill Interchange and particular sections of the M80 offline works to commence. Glasgow-bound traffic from the B757 continues to follow the diversion via the Crowwood roundabout.

This minor re-alignment will remain in place until Autumn 2010. The overview photograph highlights the closed sections of carriageway in red and  the revised routes in blue.

M73 Interchange at Mollinsburn

The existing Mollinsburn Interchange connects the M73 with the A80 and provides access to the local side road network serving Mollinsburn, Condorrat, Kirkintilloch and the western parts of Cumbernauld.  The construction of the M80  will see two of Scotland’s major motorways converging at Mollinsburn where a new high capacity interchange is currently under construction.

This interchange has been designed to permit easy access and traffic flow between the M73, the M80 and the connecting side road network.

Construction activities including piling and reinforced concrete works have now commenced on 5 of the structures which are required for the new interchange. In total there are 5 new bridges and 6 new culverts to be constructed at the interchange together with 2 existing structures to be demolished.

Luggiewater Diversion

The M80 Project works require some reconstruction to be carried out at Luggiewater.  This has made it necessary to place new traffic management arrangements to move traffic to the south side of the existing Luggiewater Bridge.  This facilitates the construction of a new under bridge culvert on the north side of the existing Luggiewater culvert.

These traffic management arrangements will remain in place from September 2009 to March 2010.

Mollinsburn to Auchenkilns

2.7 kilometres of online upgrade works along the route of the existing A80 from Mollinsburn to  the western side of the Auchenkilns Junction are now well underway. These works involve the provision of a dual three lane carriageway between Mollinsburn Interchange and Low Wood and a dual two lane carriageway between Low Wood and the Auchenkilns Junction. As part of these works improvements will also be carried out to the Low Wood Junction.

North Road Bridge Reconstruction
 
The upgrading of the A80 to motorway status necessitates the demolition and reconstruction of the North Road overbridge.  The current bridge has insufficient headroom and as a result has been damaged by a number of oversized vehicles in recent years. As the existing bridge carried a number of services from Condorrat to Westfield these have been diverted through a service tunnel that was constructed by HMC to the east of the bridge.

After demolition of the existing bridge vehicular and pedestrian access is maintained between Condorrat and Westfield by a temporary Bailey bridge.

The Bailey Bridge was slid into position on the 8 August 2009 and became operational on the 7 September, 2009.  Drivers and pedestrians now use the Bailey Bridge which is located adjacent to the existing North Road Bridge. The route consists of a single lane controlled by traffic lights together with a footpath for pedestrians.

Demolition of the existing North Road Bridge is planned for Autumn 2009.

Auchenkilns to Haggs

This section of the works maintains traffic flow using a contraflow system that will maintain two running lanes for traffic in each direction during daytime hours.  This contraflow arrangement will remain in place until January, 2010.
  
The contraflow operates for approximately 6km from the Auchenkilns junction to Haggs junction and commenced on the 30 July 2009.

Further changes to the traffic lanes will be made as the project progresses.

The contraflow has enabled structural works to commence at the Dullatur Road, Old Inns and Forrest Road Bridges. To facilitate these works the headroom at the bridges have been restricted to a height of 4.5 metres. Advance warning signage has been erected to make drivers aware of these height reductions and signed diversion routes are in place.

Works commenced in June 2009 and will be completed by June 2011.

Glenview Bridge

The M80 Project construction works required the demolition of Glenview Bridge at Banknock and Haggs and this was carried out in two phases over the weekends of Friday 14 and 21 August, 2009. As a result it has been necessary to close Glenview Avenue from the junction of Auchincloch Drive to the junction of Garngrew Road.  Construction works have also been carried out to the junctions on the A803 Kilsyth Road and Garngrew Road to provide mini roundabouts to assist with local traffic flows.

These traffic management arrangements were put in place following extensive consultation with stakeholders.  This has resulted in the provision of explanatory signage to assist motorists and pedestrians in regard to diversion routes and bus routes.
 
Currently it is envisaged that the reconstruction of Glenview Bridge will be completed by March 2010.

Grouting  Works

Deep mining provided significant employment during the last century.  This has left a legacy of mine workings in and around the Castlecary area. Desktop studies and ground investigations have confirmed that the mine workings require stabilisation and this is being achieved by the injection of grout.

HMC commenced grouting works in July 2009 and these works will be completed in three phases across the existing A80. Each phase of the works will take approximately ten weeks depending on the ground conditions encountered and they are envisaged to be completed by Christmas 2009.

HMC have mobilised up to six grouting rigs to expedite the stabilisation of the mine works in order to minimise disruption to local residents  and the travelling public.

Noise Barriers

Traffic noise is a potential problem for residents of the properties adjacent to, or situated near, the existing A80.  As part of the M80 Project noise fencing and/or earth bunds will be constructed at locations along the route. These noise barriers will provide screening from the traffic noise.

Noise barrier works are well advanced along the Stepps to Mollinsburn route and works are well underway in Castlecary, Condorrat, Westfield and north and south of Auchenkilns Junction. To date in excess of 4.5 kilomteres of noise mitigation measures have been constructed along the route.

In addition to the Noise Barriers, low noise surfacing (Stone Mastic Asphalt) will be used on the M80 and this has been designed to minimise traffic noise. 

Earlier construction updates

Hornshill Interchange construction

M80 Hornshill Interchange
works in progress 
Hornshill Interchange
HMG are undertaking earthworks, drainage and pavement works to complete a temporary road in order to commence construction of the new Hornshill Interchange.

This temporary road, which will open in August 2009, takes account of the proposed construction sequencing and will remain in place for 12 months.

This approach minimises the interference to current traffic flows and restrictions to the travelling public during the construction of the new bridge structures.


Auger Bore under A80
Auger Bore under A80 for
temporary service diversion
North Road Bridge Reconstruction
Upgrading of the A80 to motorway status necessitates the demolition and reconstruction of the North Road overbridge.  The current bridge has insufficient headroom and has been damaged by a number of oversized vehicles in recent years. The existing bridge carries a number of services from Condorrat to Westfield.  These are currently in the process of being diverted through a service tunnel, constructed by HMC to the east of the bridge.

Vehicular and pedestrian access will be maintained between Condorrat and Westfield by a temporary bridge structure which incorporates a single carriageway and footpath.  Vehicles and pedestrian traffic will be controlled by traffic lights. 

M80 Bailey bridge
M80 Bailey bridge

This temporary bridge, also known as a Bailey bridge, will be assembled in the area to the north east of the bridge.  Erection of the temporary bridge will be completed by launching it from the assembly area and sliding across the abutments and pier.

Erection of the temporary bridge is programmed to be completed over a weekend in August. Subject to completion of the utility diversions the existing bridge is programmed to be demolished four weeks after the erection of the temporary bridge.

To maintain one lane of traffic in both directions, demolition works are planned to take place over two weekends. 

Stepps to Mollinsburn

HMG have substantially completed advanced works on this green field section of the project, that is, utility diversions, fencing, topsoil strip and environmental mitigation measures, for example, noise bunds.

Earthworks are progressing well enabling commencement on several of the concrete structures required to enable the new motorway to cross local roads and watercourses. Resources will be deployed over the summer months to expedite the earthworks.

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