THE main span of a new bridge over the M8 connecting Sighthill and Glasgow city centre has been successfully installed overnight.
The road was closed in both directions to allow for BAM Nuttall, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, to use a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) to carry the 1,000-tonne structure ‘very slowly’ along the M8, before hydraulic jacks were used to life it into place.
The span’s structure is made of weathering steel, which Glasgow City Council said will result in lower maintenance costs and reflects both the area’s industrial heritage and the front of the new buildings such as the Sighthill community schools campus.
It will act as an active travel route between Sighthill and the city centre, with it forming part of the £250 million regeneration of the area in the north side of the city. The local authority said that the overall project is the biggest in the UK outside of London.
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow city region cabinet, commented, “The installation of the main span of the Sighthill M8 Bridge is a key stage in both the reconnection of Sighthill and the nearby city centre, and the wider transformation of the area, one of the UK’s biggest such projects. When complete, this new bridge will provide a landmark gateway to Sighthill and an active travel route between Sighthill, the city centre and the communities of north Glasgow.”
Finance and economy secretary, Kate Forbes, added, “The installation of this new bridge over the M8 represents another milestone in the delivery of the Sighthill Regeneration Project. The Scottish Government is contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Glasgow city region city deal. Investment in this project through the deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs, encouraging active travel and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to Glasgow and the surrounding areas.”
UK Government minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, said, “Connecting Sighthill to Glasgow city centre, this major new bridge over the M8 is another important step forward in regenerating this part of the city. It will provide a convenient travel link and help boost the local economy. The UK Government is investing more than £1.5bn into city region and growth deals right across Scotland, helping create jobs and drive growth as we recover from the pandemic.”
