• Weekend contraflow with single lane in both directions 4-7 April 2025

• Four-day contraflow with single lane eastbound 10-13 May 2025

• Motorists advised to plan ahead and expect long delays

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland is warning motorists to plan ahead and expect long delays during a series of major improvement projects planned on the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh this spring.

Start dates are now confirmed for each of these projects, with resurfacing works between Junctions 5 and 4A at Polkemmet now scheduled to take place in early May rather than late March as originally planned.

The first major project will take place over the weekend of 4 to 7 April, when traffic in both directions will be restricted to a single lane between Junctions 5 and 6 for works to refurbish the eastbound side of a bridge carrying the motorway. Similar works were completed on the westbound side of the bridge in October last year.

Major resurfacing works at Polkemmet between Junctions 5 and 4A will then begin on 6 May. A series of overnight carriageway closures will be required, as well as four days from 10 to 13 May when the M8 eastbound will be restricted to a single lane 24 hours a day.

On 19 May, a major project to refurbish the bridge carrying the B792 local road over the M8 between Bathgate and Blackburn will get under way. This will require a variety of traffic restrictions on both the M8 between Junction 3A and 4, including contraflow, lane closures, speed restrictions and overnight carriageway closures over a period of approximately four months.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “Everyone who uses the M8 needs to be aware of these three major projects commencing in March and April.

“Following a tender process, it’s now confirmed that bridge works next to Bathgate and Blackburn will commence later than originally anticipated on 19 May. This has created an opportunity to move the resurfacing scheme at Polkemmet to early May, avoiding the weekend of the Scotland football international on 22 March.

“We usually carry out disruptive works overnight, however the extensive nature of the works at Longacre Bridge and Polkemmet mean we need to close the carriageway for several days to keep drivers and workers safe.

“Our advice is to expect long delays during these works, and consider adapting your travel plans.

“All of these projects are essential to keep our motorway infrastructure in a safe and reliable condition. By proactively renewing and refurbishing these roads and bridges now, we will reduce the requirement for future closures to carry out reactive maintenance.”

BEAR Scotland is responsible for management and maintenance of the M8 east of Junction 6, Newhouse. Their updated programme of major works on the M8 is as follows:

Drainage improvement works at Polkemmet:

• 24 February to 8 March: Eastbound lane closures between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00 each night.

Bridge works at M8 Junction 3:

• 24 to 28 March: M8 Junction 3 eastbound on-slip closed from 20:30 until 06:00 each night.

Resurfacing the westbound M8 prior to Junction 3A:

• 31 March to 11 April: The westbound M8 will be closed at Junction 3 from 20:30 until 06:00 on Monday to Friday nights.

Longacre bridge works:

• 4 to 7 April: A weekend contraflow will be in operation between Junctions 5 and 6, with traffic in both directions restricted to a single lane from 20:30 on Friday evening to 06:00 on Monday morning.

Resurfacing at Polkemmet:

• 6 and 7 May: The eastbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00 each night.
• 8 May: The eastbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00, with a westbound lane closure also in place.
• 9 May: The westbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 4A and 5 from 20:30 until 06:00, with an eastbound lane closure also in place.
• 10 to 13 May: A contraflow will be in operation 24 hours a day between Junctions 4A and 5, with eastbound traffic restricted to a single lane. Two lanes will remain open westbound.
• 13, 14, 15 and 16 May: The eastbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00 each night.

B792 bridge works:

• From 19 May: Restrictions between Junctions 3A and 4, including contraflow, lane closures, speed restrictions and overnight carriageway closures over a period of approximately four months. Full details will be published when confirmed.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to share information about these projects in advance.

All works are weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.