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james73

Full speed ahead as firms win £320m M80 contract (Evening Times)

THE missing link in the motorway between Glasgow and Stirling has moved
a step closer to completion.

A £320million contract to build an 11-mile stretch of road between Stepps
and Haggs, near Castlecary, has been awarded to a road-building consortium.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson appointed Highway Management
(Scotland) Ltd as the contractor for the M80 project.

The work is expected to take more than two years and the contract includes
road maintenance for 30 years. Transport Scotland, the country's roads
agency, said the project would create more than 500 construction jobs.

Mr Stevenson said: "An efficient transport system is essential for enhancing
productivity and delivering faster, more sustainable growth.

"The A80 is an essential part of the trunk road network in central Scotland
and one of the most heavily used."

Up to 74,000 vehicles a day use the road, according to figures from Transport
Scotland.

The scheme will see three major construction projects. They are:

● Almost five miles of dual two-lane motorway and hard shoulders between
Stepps and Mollinsburn.

● 1.6 miles of road upgraded to dual three-lane motorway between Mollinsburn
and Auchenkilns.

● Almost 4.5 miles of the A80 upgraded to dual two-lane motorway between
Auchenkilns and Haggs, with hard shoulders and climbing lanes.

Construction will begin immediately, although preparatory works have
been under way along the route. This has seen hundreds of trees felled,
sparking anger among residents in Cumbernauld, Westfield and Condorrat.

It is expected the motorway will be fully opened in 2011.

James H
_________________
The blinding obvious is what you showed to me.....

scallopboy