The M74 Completion scheme will open to traffic on Tuesday 28 June.


Project Timescale
2003-2011

Budget
The contract for the construction of the road has been awarded for a fixed price of £445m plus an allowance of £12m for grouting of old mine workings.

Partners
Transport Scotland and Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils.

Lead
Transport Scotland

Status
Construction of the main works commenced in May 2008 and is programmed to open to traffic on 28 June.

Activity
The M74 Completion is being promoted in accordance with the government’s key transport criteria:

• Environment
• Safety
• Economy
• Integration
• Accessibility
  

The new road will:

• Complete strategic transport links for West of Scotland business currently handicapped by severe congestion on the M8.
• Advance national competitiveness by improving access to Glasgow Airport and other key strategic commercial and industrial facilities.
• Assist development of prime sites in areas of high unemployment throughout West Central Scotland.
• Open the way for regeneration of derelict land across the south and east of Glasgow and in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
• Relieve traffic congestion on local roads across Glasgow and South Lanarkshire allowing priority to be allocated to public transport cyclists and pedestrians.
• Improve road safety and reduce road accidents.
  

The new motorway will complete the missing link between the M74 at Fullarton Road and the M8 to the west of Kingston Bridge.

It will be 5 miles (8km) long and will comprise dual 3 lane carriageways with hard shoulders and dual 2 lane motorway connections to the M8.