Seven months of roadworks on M74 as major works get underway at Nethan Viaduct

Average speed cameras will be in place to enforce a 30mph limit throughout the bridge refurbishment project

Seven months of roadworks are getting underway on the M74 in South Lanarkshire – with average-speed cameras being put in place to maintain a 30mph speed restriction.

Major bridge refurbishment works are being carried out at the Nethan Viaduct, south of junction 10 at Lesmahagow on the busy motorway; including waterproofing, concrete repairs, resurfacing, strengthening and barrier upgrades.

It means that a two-lane contraflow in each direction will be in place until the end of April, with the speed cameras in place between junctions 9 and 11 as traffic speeds are halved due to the use of the narrowed temporary lane set-up.

Download the Lanarkshire Live app today

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.

The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.

Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android

Contractors from Amey are carrying out the work on behalf of Transport Scotland, with the 30-week programme being conducted in five phases from October 1 until April 30 2025.

Roads officials say: “The 30mph restriction is necessary to ensure the safety of personnel and members of the public given the use of narrow lanes to permit two lane flows to be maintained, whilst also considering the high volume of HGV traffic on this route.”

The first two phases of work will take place on the northbound carriageway, with the hard shoulder and lane one being closed from now until December 7; followed by lanes one and two then being closed to traffic for a month until January 7.

Phases three and four will then be carried out in the same way on the southbound road, respectively from January 8 to March 14 and then for the two weeks from March 14 to 28 on lanes one and two.

Motorists are being advised that two lanes in each direction will remain open throughout the duration of the works; but abnormal loads will be restricted in the affected direction throughout, and “an overnight total closure is required at the beginning and end of each phase”.

Amey had previously advised drivers that the motorway will be shut southbound between junctions 9 and 12 on Tuesday, October 8; and northbound between junctions 12 and 8 the following night.

Following the first four phases, the final section of work will take place at the M74 central reservation throughout April 2025, when lane two on both the north and southbound carriageways will be closed.

Preparatory work has been underway for the past month with the installation of the average speed cameras.

Amey officials add: “This scheme will benefit vehicles using this route each day by improving the safety and condition of the carriageway and the associated structure.”

*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.