Question reference: S6W-00624
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 June 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 18 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00256 by Graeme Dey on 10 June 2021, in light of international examples of inner-city motorway deconstruction and replacement with alternative infrastructure, what engineering and urban planning options are being assessed as alternatives to the structural repair of the defective M8 Woodside Viaducts, which were completed in 1971.
Answer
The M8 Woodside Viaducts are essential links in the M8 central Scotland urban motorway, vital for the economy and connectivity of Scotland. Therefore, the repair of the viaducts and removal of restrictions is high priority as Scotland emerges from the Covid-19 restrictions. The viaducts carry 150,000 vehicles per day in normal times, which would be difficult to accommodate by other routes or modes. As a result, there are no engineering or urban planning options currently being considered as an alternative to the structural repair of the viaducts. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions and we will work with operational partners to maximise traffic flows through the site, managing impacts on the M8 and adjacent local roads.