WSP UK has been awarded a contract by Transport Scotland to provide technical advisory services for a permanent repair to the M8 Woodside Viaducts.
This includes the design and implementation of a permanent solution to the structures, which form a vital part of the M8 through Glasgow.
Subject to completion of a mandatory 10-day standstill period, WSP will undertake a number of responsibilities including taking the initial design work forward.
Scotland’s cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said, “Carrying 150,000 vehicles daily, the Woodside Viaducts are vital to both the local and trunk road networks, and I am pleased that this contract will take us a step closer to delivering a permanent solution. Following inspections in 2021, significant deterioration to the viaduct supports was discovered, and temporary measures were put in place to ensure the safety of road users and allow continued use of the viaducts.
“However, the long-term plan must be to maintain and invest in the trunk road network to ensure that this section of the M8 continues to serve the wide range of transport needs and the Scottish economy for many years to come.”
As a temporary measure to ensure the continued use of this stretch of motorway and the safety of road users, ongoing temporary propping of the viaducts is underway. Once this work is complete the traffic management is expected to be removed from the viaducts, whilst the propping will enable the permanent solution to be implemented.
