Construction Progress

January 2010

West Section

M8/M74 Eastbound Link Bridge - The structure is substantially complete, with only the finishes remaining. Pre-cast parapets have been erected to 80% of the structure.

M8/M74 Westbound Link Bridge - The bridge is substantially complete and backfilling to the abutments continues, as does work to the reinforced earth wing walls, which retain soil behind the abutment. Work to these is around 70% complete. While lanes of the M8 were temporarily closed, enabling works for stone columns to support the retaining walls have taken place.

Port Eglinton Viaduct - All substructure works have been completed, with the exception of columns under the viaduct launch position. All temporary trestle bases are now concreted and intermediate support bases are complete. Pre-cast piling has completed behind the west abutment.

All beams for the work to complete the deck beams from west abutment to pier 5 have been erected. Infill panels to support the reinforced concrete deck have now commenced to span 1.

All steel sections for the first stage of the bridge launch over the West Coast Main Line railway and Eglinton Street have been completed and the launch nose is connected. The deck and parapets for the section over the railway lines are concreted and the launch will commence on Saturday 30th January.

Beams for the second phase of the bridge launch are on site and are being prepared for erection following the completion of the first stage.

Retaining Walls 12 and 15 - five of the six bases have been concreted. The sixth base will follow pre-cast piling between the walls.

Strathbungo Railway Underpass - The bridge is substantially complete and construction of approach parapets will commence once backfill to the structure has been completed.

Cathcart Road Bridge - The first stage of the deck (the west half) is now concreted and permanent service diversions are under way. Traffic is expected to switch back on to the line of the existing road, using the west half of the new bridge, in March after completion of the ongoing service diversions. This could allow a start to the second stage piling work, which is currently planned for the end of March.

Network Rail access road - The road has been altered to allow use as a diverted access, which in turn allows work on the westbound on-ramp to start.

Polmadie Road Bridge - Columns have been concreted to the centre pier. Construction of the east bank seat will follow after work on wall 18 is complete. Beams are ordered for March 2010.

Retaining walls - Wall 17 (Polmadie west) is complete and Wall 9 (Kingston) has been surcharged, whereby surcharge is put in place temporarily to speed up the settlement of the ground underlying the embankment, and the settlement is being monitored. Work at walls 6 and 4 (M74/M8 westbound link bridge wing walls) is under way and is around 70% complete. The erection of Wall 18 (Polmadie east) is about 50% completed.

Earthworks and Roadworks - Earthworks are ongoing at Kingston with 205,000m3 of the 210,000m3 required in place. Surcharge removal at Polmadie East has been transferred to Scotland St.

Earthworks at Strathbungo are 50% complete and 73,500m3 of fill has been transported to the east section of the route.

The only earthworks remaining at Cathcart involve the excavation around and below the new overbridge. Roadworks and associated drainage are well advanced in the area.

Mainline roadworks have progressed well with 60,000m2 of surfacing material now in place, 90% of which is now covered with blacktop. Drainage works at the on and off ramps at Polmadie are complete and kerbing should begin imminently.

East Section

Glasgow Road Bridge - Following completion of beam erection, deck construction continues, with reinforcement and edge formwork ongoing.

Rutherglen Railway Station Bridge - All piling is now completed and the stem at pier 3 has been cast. At pier 1, one base has been cast and the fitting of reinforcement stem bars is under way. Concreting of the second base at pier 1 is due to commence imminently. Piling work at pier 2 is ongoing and construction of the west abutment base is under way. The adjacent retaining wall 23 is substantially complete.

Farmeloan Road Bridge - The bridge is substantially complete.

Cambuslang Road Bridge - Placing of precast beams has commenced.

Auchenshuggle (River Clyde Crossing) Bridge - On the west side, the gallery wall is under way, upper wing walls have commenced and backfill is continuing. Work is well advanced on the east abutment.

Fullarton Roundabout Bridges - The abutments for both the east and west bridges are substantially complete. Beam deliveries for the west bridge will take place in mid-February, with the east bridge beams following in March.

Earthworks - Work continues at Glasgow Road as weather allows.

The Rutherglen Station area remains under surcharge and work on the small reinforced earth retaining wall has been completed.

At the River Clyde, the Scottish Power access track has been excavated, backfilled and capped and the removal of surcharge has commence.
Work on the retaining wall at Fullarton Road has been completed.

Drainage - Approximately 70% of new drainage has been laid.

Roadworks - Work on the existing M74 to the east of Fullarton Road has progressed to the stage where the surface course is now complete and has been relined.

For previous reports, see Construction Progress Archive