Works on the ongoing M8 eastbound overnight resurfacing programme (detailed below) between Junctions 3 and 2 have been postponed tonight,15 March 2023, due to a forecast of unfavourable weather conditions overnight.
The programme will therefore extend for one night, with a scheduled new completion date of 23 March 2023. No works will take place on weekend nights.
BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland’s trunk road operating company for the South East, has scheduled two schemes that require overnight closures in the Livingston area to take place simultaneously in March to minimise overall disruption to travelling public.
A programme of overnight resurfacing on the eastbound carriageway of the M8 between junctions 3 and 2 is set to start on 7 March 2023 for nine weekday nights. During the same period, the ongoing major project to refurbish the bridge that carries the eastbound slip road from the M8 at junction 3 requires overnight carriageway closures on the A899, which passes underneath the bridge.
The resurfacing programme on the eastbound M8 is set to start on Tuesday 7 March 2023 and will take place between 20:30 and 06:00 over nine nights excluding the weekend. The last night will be Friday the 17 March.
The surfacing improvements will address areas of deteriorated carriageway over 1.7 kilometres of the motorway, creating smoother and safer journeys for road users. These works will also see the renewal of all road markings and studs, providing a higher retro-reflectivity and improving the visibility of lane delineations.
At the same time, overnight on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 March the A899 northbound carriageway will be closed between 20:00 and 06:00 to facilitate the safe erection of scaffolding on the bridge that is being refurbished overhead. The A899 southbound carriageway will then be closed overnight on Friday 17 and Monday 20 March, again between 20:00 and 06:00.
The latter scheme is a key element of the £1.4m upgrade of the reinforced concrete bridge that carries the eastbound slip road off the M8 at Junction 3, which has seen that slip road closed since 13 February.
Consultation has been carried out in advance with all relevant parties.
Diversion routes
Clearly signed diversion routes are already in place for the slip road closure to maintain access to Livingston from the M8 at all times.
During the slip road closure, traffic heading to Livingston is being directed to leave the M8 at Junction 3A, the junction prior to where the works are taking place. The diversion follows Carnegie Road, Deans Road and the A89 east to join the A899 Livingston Road at Dechmont Roundabout. This adds less than one mile and typically less than five minutes to journey times.
The diversion for overnight resurfacing works on the eastbound M8 will follow the first part of same route from M8 Junction 3A, via Carnegie Road, Deans Road and the A89. Traffic wishing to re-join the M8 rather than go to Livingston will then be advised to continue along the A89 to Newbridge roundabout and the M9, re-joining the M8 at Junction 2. This diversion will add 1.3 miles and an estimated 12 minutes to journeys Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained and all traffic management will be removed outwith working hours.
During northbound closures of the A899, traffic will be diverted off the A899 at the Houston Interchange via Houston Road, Deans Road and the A89. During southbound closures the reverse signed diversion via the A89, Deans Road and Houston Road will be in place. This diversion will add four miles and an estimated seven minutes to journeys.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “We’ve coordinated these overnight works to minimise the overall impact on road users and local communities.
“It is necessary to close the roads to ensure the safety of the workforce and road users alike. The diversion routes will be clearly signposted in addition to the existing slip road closure diversion. So far this seems to be operating effectively and we are continuing to monitor.
“We thank road users for their patience while our teams carry out these improvements.”
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot for up-to-date travel information and allowing extra time for their journey.
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