Delays expected as M8 to close for two weekends for essential footbridge refurbishments

Essential refurbishments on footbridges across Scotland’s busiest motorway are set to cause disruptions for motorists over the next two weekends.

The M8 will be closed in both directions overnight in Glasgow between Junctions 19 (Anderston) and 24 (Helen Street) on the weekends of November 7 and 8, and November 14 and 15 to allow for the work to take place on the Cornwall Street and Kirkwood Street footbridges that span the M8 between Junction 21 (Seaward Street) and Junction 23 (Dumbreck), to the south-west of Glasgow City Centre.

The first closure will begin at 6pm on Saturday November 7 until 1pm on Sunday November 8.

Road users are advised to avoid travel through the location and should plan ahead, consider alternative routes and modes of transport, and allow additional time to complete any journeys.

Amey, which is carrying out the works on behalf of Transport Scotland has warned that during similar closures in 2024, delays of up to one hour were experienced, and comparable delays are possible if traffic levels are not significantly reduced.

It added that the operation requires large cranes and specialist heavy lifting equipment and can only proceed in suitable weather conditions.

Should adverse weather make it unsafe to proceed, the works may be postponed or rescheduled at short notice.

Weekend One Closures

On the first weekend, the M8 eastbound will be closed between Junctions 24 and 22, including the Helen Street eastbound on-slip road.

Traffic will be diverted to turn right via Helen Street onto Paisley Road and will follow Mosspark Boulevard to join Dumbreck Road and will continue to the M77 northbound, where diversion will end.

Traffic affected by an M8 Junction 23 eastbound on-slip road closure will join this diversion at Dumbreck Road and continue to the M77 northbound.

For the M8 westbound main and secondary carriageway closures between Junctions 22 and 24, traffic will follow the above diversion but in reverse from the M77 Junction 1 southbound off-slip road to rejoin the M8 at Junction 24.

A separate diversion for the Carnoustie Street on-slip road closure will operate via Scotland Street to the Seaward Street westbound on-slip road.

The M77 in both directions will remain unaffected by the weekend one closures.

Weekend Two closures

On the second weekend, all 16 lanes of the M8 will be closed during this weekend.

The M8 eastbound will be closed between Junctions 24 and 22, including the Helen Street eastbound on-slip road.

Traffic will be diverted via Helen Street, Edmiston Drive, Paisley Road West, Paisley Road, Kingston Street, Commerce Street, Broomielaw, and the A804, before joining the M8 eastbound at Junction 19.

Traffic affected by an M8 Junction 23 eastbound on-slip road closure will join this diversion at Edmiston Drive and follow the same route to Junction 19.

For the M8 westbound closure between Junctions 20 and 24 will be diverted via West Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road, and Paisley Road West. F

From here, traffic travelling towards the M77 southbound will continue via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while traffic travelling towards the M8 westbound will continue via Helen Street to join the M8 at Junction 24.

The Seaward Street on-slip road will be closed with traffic diverted via Seaward Street and Paisley Road West. From here, M77 southbound traffic will travel via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while M8 eastbound traffic will travel via Helen Street to join the M8 at Junction 24.

The Waterloo Street on-slip road will be closed with traffic diverted via Pitt Street, St Vincent Street, and Newton Street to the M8 at Junction 19, before continuing via West Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road, and Paisley Road West. M77 southbound traffic will then travel via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while M8 eastbound traffic will travel via Helen Street to join the M8 at Junction 24.

The Stobcross on-slip road will be closed with traffic diverted via Argyle Street, James Watt Street, Broomielaw, Bridge Street, Nelson Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road, and Paisley Road West. M77 southbound traffic will then travel via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while M8 eastbound traffic will travel via Helen Street to join the M8 at Junction 24.

M77 Closures

The M77 northbound carriageway will be closed at Junction 1, including the Junction 1 northbound on-slip road. Traffic will be diverted via Dumbreck Road and Edmiston Drive, before following Paisley Road West, Paisley Road, Kingston Street, Commerce Street, Broomielaw, and the A804 to join the M8 eastbound at Junction 19.

M74 Closures

The M74 westbound carriageway will be closed at Junction 1 with traffic diverted via Scotland Street, Seaward Street, and Paisley Road West. The same diversion route will apply for the closure of the Carnoustie Street westbound on-slip road closure. From here, M77 southbound traffic will travel via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while M8 eastbound traffic will travel via Helen Street to join the M8 at Junction 24.