A much used slip road carrying eastbound traffic off the M8 will be shut for five months at Junction 3 Livingston.
The works are due to start on Monday February 13 which will see major repairs take place to refurbish a bridge carrying a slip road.
It is understood that the project will cost around £1.4m, with preparatory works including surveys and trial pits already taking place last month on the concrete bridge that acts a throughway for the eastbound slip road off the M8 at the aforementioned junction, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: West Lothian dad tells how daughter saved his life after shock cardiac arrest
This has led to the extended closure of the slip road with will last for around five months.
There will also be overnight carriageway closures planned for the A899 which runs underneath the bridge which will allow for the safe assembly of scaffolding on the structure above.
Those responsible for the works have said that the A899 northbound carriageway will be shut between the hours of 8pm and 6am on the nights of Wednesday and Thursday March 8 and 9 - the A899 southbound carriageway will also be closed on the nights of Friday and Monday, March 10 and 13.
Further disruption for motorists is predicted with a £465k project of overnight resurfacing also to be carried out on the eastbound carriageway of the M8 which is due to kick off on Monday March 6. It is understood that these works will be undertaken between the hours of 8:30am and 6am spanning five nights.
Clearly signed diversion routes will maintain access to Livingston from the M8 at all times, underlining that it is open for business and reflecting the town’s popularity as a commuter town between Edinburgh and Glasgow and its reputation as a prime shopping destination.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “We don’t take the decision to close roads lightly, however it is necessary to ensure the safety of the workforce and road users alike. The diversion routes will be clearly signposted to ease the flow of traffic and ensure ongoing access to Livingston.
“We thank road users in advance for their patience while our teams carry out these essential improvements. Our advice is to plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey if you need to travel through M8 Junction 3 during this period.”
During the slip road closure, traffic heading to Livingston will be directed to leave the M8 at Junction 3A, the junction prior to where the works are taking place. The diversion will follow Carnegie Road, Deans Road and the A89 east to join the A899 Livingston Road at Dechmont Roundabout. This will add less than one mile and typically less than five minutes to journey times - though longer delays can be expected during peak times. Westbound M8 motorway traffic will remain unaffected.
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.
READ MORE -
Historic Edinburgh warehouse set to be transformed into fancy new hotel
Striking Edinburgh painting from 1881 shows how much the city has changed
Edinburgh locals spot lost property dumped in skip outside Atik nightclub
A tiny Scottish island is looking for people to work in its renowned gin distillery
Popular Edinburgh city centre Chinese restaurant to be replaced with new eatery
