M80: £2.5m RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
MAJOR TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS FROM FRIDAY
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO AID DRIVERS
A £2.5million project to reconstruct a section of the M80 motorway near Denny is scheduled to begin on Friday (25 August), for eight weeks. And an innovative traffic management system will be used to reduce congestion for the benefit of motorists.
During the works a maximum of only three lanes will be available on this stretch of the motorway, carrying traffic both north and southbound for the duration of the reconstruction. Significant planning has been undertaken to identify the optimum traffic management arrangement for the project, to channel drivers safely through the site whilst minimising disruption.
Therefore a smart tidal-flow system will be used, maintaining two lanes in the direction of the heaviest flow of peak-time traffic each day – southbound in the morning and northbound early evening. One lane only will be available in the opposite direction.
The layout at the works will therefore change twice daily and road users are warned to be extra vigilant.
Kenny Kerr, Amey’s unit manager for south east Scotland explains: “We’ve adopted this system specifically for this project with the primary aim of minimising disruption. Signs will direct drivers safely through the works but it is essential that road users remain alert for the changing layout.
“By shifting the traffic management layout twice daily we will be able to provide the greatest capacity possible in the direction of the heaviest flow of traffic. Ultimately this system will help to reduce congestion.
A tidal-flow system of traffic management was last used in the region of 20 years ago during resurfacing of the Forth Road Bridge
For everyone’s safety the speed limit through the traffic management will be reduced from 70mph to 40mph. The temporary limit will be enforced by officers from central Scotland police and staff from central Scotland safety camera partnership.
Once works begin it is anticipated that delays are possible and motorists are advised to consider their travel plans carefully, building in plenty of extra time for journeys in this area.
This section of the M80 was upgraded from a dual carriageway to motorway status in the 1970s and is now trafficked by around 17,000 vehicles daily. The high volume of traffic has caused deterioration over time.
During the project approximately 1.6 km of the north and southbound carriageways will be completely reconstructed, new drainage systems installed and all associated road markings repainted.