
Will Glasgow's M8 viaduct repair work be complete next year?
Essential propping up work on the Woodside Viaduct east of Charing Cross has been ongoing since 2021.
The motorway has been restricted with lane closures and on and off ramps closed to allow work to be carried out.
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Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP said the completion date on the Transport Scotland website is 2006 but she told the Transport Secretary, Fiona Huyslop that the organisation wrote to her recently to say that cannot be confirmed.
Hyslop said the work was necessary and complications involving he subway tunnel had caused delays.
McNeill said: 'The M8 project in Glasgow was due for completion in late 2023.
'Since 2021, those using the M8 have had constant delays as part of their daily commute, which is impacting on the west of Scotland economy.'
She added: 'Is the cabinet secretary at all concerned that Transport Scotland wrote to me on 21 May to say that it now cannot confirm that completion date but that the website still says that the work will be completed in early 2026?
'It is unacceptable that the public, who are putting up with these delays, are not getting up-to-date, accurate information.'
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Hyslop said: 'The M8 Woodside viaducts project is a complex one that involves constructing temporary propping in a constrained urban environment to enable repairs to the half-joints that support the motorway.
'Transport Scotland and its contractor, Amey, have been examining each and every activity that is required to complete the works to ensure completion as soon as possible.
'However, there have been delays to the piling work around the subway tunnel, which has to be carried out very carefully.'
She added: 'What is unacceptable is to question the work that is required to ensure that the works are carried out safely.
'As of May 2025, props have been installed at 13 of a total of 23 locations and 10 locations have been fully jacked, meaning that the load from the bridge deck is being transferred away from the existing supports and on to the newly installed propping system.'
Transport Scotland states: "A total of 23 supports are required to be propped.
"Each support requires individual propping designs to take account of the varying column heights, span length and widths resulting in different loads to be supported by the props.
"The propping foundations at some locations are affected by a number of buried services (such as gas and water mains) as well as Strathclyde Passenger Travel's (SPT) subway tunnels.
"These services have a major impact on the propping solutions available."
On completion dates it states: "Completion of the propping and jacking work - which will result in the removal of lane restrictions on the M8 - is expected to be completed in early 2026.
"However, the Contractor, Amey PLC is working towards delivering the eastbound carriageway sooner, in Summer 2025.
"They are also exploring opportunities to bring work forward where possible.
"These dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather or unexpected service diversions."

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