Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the road be?
Approximately 18 kilometres (11.2 miles)
What route will it follow?
View the route.
How many lanes will the road have?
View details of the carriageway.
Where will the junctions be built?
The Existing junctions at Hornshill, Mollinsburn, Low Wood, Auchenkilns, Old Inns, Castlecary and Haggs will either remain open or be improved.
The contract for the design, build, finance and operation of the scheme has been awarded for approximately £320 million, which includes a 30 year operation and maintenance period.
When will it open?
It is anticipated that construction will be completed by 2011
Will the M80 increase noise in local communities?
The full noise impacts from the M80 have been fully assessed and reported in the Environmental Statement. Noise attenuation barriers and/or earth bunds will be constructed at a number of locations along the route to provide screening and the reduction of traffic noise. The use of low noise carriageway surfacing will also contribute to this aim.
Approximately 700 properties are predicted to benefit from reduced noise levels along the existing A80 between Stepps and Mollinsburn, where traffic flows will fall significantly once the scheme is operational. Approximately 300 properties are predicted to be adversely affected by an increase in noise levels as a result of the new section of the scheme.
Almost all residential properties along the new scheme between Mollinsburn and Haggs (approximately 2500) will experience a decrease in noise levels compared to current levels, mainly due to the mitigation measures to be put in place.
Overall, the new scheme will result in a beneficial impact on the area, when compared to the existing situation. Approximately 3200 properties will experience a reduction in noise levels whilst approximately 400 properties will experience some increase in noice levels.
What impact will construction have along the A80?
Traffic management has been an important consideration in the development of the scheme to minimise disruption. Two lanes in each direction on the A80 are maintained from 6am to 8pm on weekdays throughout the construction period. As a consequence there will be no change in the number of lanes in use compared to the present situation.
There will, however, be a requirement for a limited number of night-time lane closures during certain operations with one lane being provided in each direction. In addition, there will be a requirement for approximately 9 weekend lane closures. These closures are generally required to allow the safe demolition of existing structures and the construction of new structures. Where weekend lane closures are required, advanced warning of the works will be provided and, based on the traffic management plan, at least one lane will be maintained in each direction. Where possible any such closures will be programmed to avoid events that generate substantial increases in traffic.
The Contractors are experienced in carrying out construction work whilst keeping the road open to drivers. It is therefore considered that the traffic management measures will minimise the risk of congestion as well as minimise the risk of any significant additional delay or diversion of traffic to the side road network during the construction period.
Will there be an impact on local bus services?
The completed scheme will not affect the bus routes currently available. The services running along Main Road through Condorrat, Dalshannon and Mollinsburn will still be able to access the A80/M80 via the new Mollinsburn Interchange. With the introduction of bus gates at Castlecary Junction there will be no impact on the bus services through Castlecary village.
It should however be noted that the existing and future bus services are at the discretion of the bus operators.
What happens at Castlecary Viaduct and the re-alignment of Castlecary Road (B816)?
The M80 will be realigned to the west of Castlecary Viaduct such that the existing substandard visibility (the actual distance ahead that a driver can see) will be improved. It is also proposed to provide segregated hardshoulders through the Castlecary Viaduct. Protection of the viaduct piers, in the form of high containment concrete barriers, will be provided along with safety barriers.
In conjunction with the proposed changes to Castlecary Junction it is considered that the new scheme will improve the safety characteristics for road users along this section of the road when compared to the existing layout.
With regard to Castlecary Road (B816), the existing 30mph zone and street lighting will be extended to include the section of the realigned side road through the viaduct and also Castlecary Junction. With the predicted drop in traffic on the B816 through Castlecary Village and the improvements to Castlecary Junction referred to above, it is considered that the proposed changes to Castlecary Road will result in an improvement in road safety.
Why is the road being increased to three lanes at Mollinsburn and Low Wood Junctions?
The section between Mollinsburn and Low Wood is currently the busiest section of the A80. Considerable volumes of traffic enter and leave the A80 at these junctions. The introduction of an additional lane for eastbound traffic joining the M80 from the M73, and another for westbound traffic from Cumbernauld joining the M80 at Low Wood will improve the safety and operational performance of the junctions on this congested section of road.
Will the termination of climbing lanes create congestion?
On the westbound carriageway a lane will be provided, for a distance of approximately 1.6km, between Castlecary Viaduct and Old Inns Junction, where the additional lane will be dropped. In the eastbound direction, a climbing lane has been included from the Castlecary merge slip road, which will effectively act as a lane gain, up to Haggs Junction where it will tie into the existing three-lane carriageway of the M80.
In both cases traffic will not have to merge and these measures are anticipated to relieve congestion, not cause it.
Will the scheme have a 50mph limit?
Upon completion, it will not be necessary to restrict speed to 50 mph. Due to improvements made to the alignment of the road, it is planned that the 50mph restriction at Auchenkilns will also be removed.
