Glasgow and Edinburgh get uninterrupted motorway link for first time

For the first time ever, Glasgow and Edinburgh are now fully connected with an uninterrupted motorway, following the opening of the new M8 link road on 30 April.

Vehicles were allowed onto the eastbound carriageway of the new M8 for the first time on Sunday, a week after the westbound carriageway opened.

The road’s opening completes the so-called ‘missing link’ between Edinburgh and Glasgow, meaning drivers no longer need to use the old A8 between Newhouse and Baillieston.

The new road layout is expected to cut travel times by up to 20 minutes at peak periods and make journey times much more reliable.

The work to upgrade the road has been carried out as part of the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project. Whilst the new M8 is now open to traffic, temporary speed limits will be still be required at locations across the project to allow remaining works to be completed safely.

Scottish Government cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, Keith Brown said: “Now the M8 is fully open, commuters between Glasgow and Edinburgh should experience a significant improvement to their journeys between Newhouse and Baillieston Interchange. This has significantly reduced the traffic volume on the A8 so that the contractor can focus on completing upgrades to the existing A8 and linking it to the new all-purpose road, which is a continuation of the A8 at Eurocentral.

“Local road users should note that whilst access to all routes to and from the A8 will be maintained, signed diversions for traffic to Coatbridge, Airdrie, Bargeddie and Bellshill will be in place to allow necessary works to be completed.”