Update on 4 April 2025: Works taking place on the M8 at Longacre Bridge will now require a full closure on the westbound carriageway on the night of Friday 4 April (tonight) to resurface the hard shoulder. The road will be reopened under contraflow at 06:00 on the morning of Saturday 5 April. See new information below.

• Weekend contraflow with single lane in both directions 4-7 April 2025

• Expect long delays

Motorists are warned to expect long delays on the M8 on the weekend of 4 to 7 April, during major works to refurbish a bridge carrying the motorway between Junctions 5 and 6.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will be refurbishing and re-waterproofing the eastbound side of Longacre Bridge, which carries the motorway over Craigens Road, having completed similar works on the westbound side last October.

To allow the works to be carried out safely, traffic in both directions on the M8 between Junctions 5 and 6 will be restricted to a single lane in a contraflow system from 20:30 on Friday 4 April until 06:00 on Monday 7 April.

The westbound carriageway will be fully closed between 23:59 and 06:00 on the night of Friday 4 April. During this time traffic will be diverted off the M8 at Junction 5 and directed along the B7066 until the roundabout at Junction 6. Traffic will then follow the A8 which runs parallel until Junction 6A where traffic will rejoin the M8.

The eastbound on-slip at Junction 6 Newhouse will also be closed, with traffic directed to follow the A73 southbound, the B7066 eastbound and the B7057 northbound, to join the M8 at Junction 5 Shotts Interchange.

Motorists are warned to expect long delays and consider adapting their plans if they need to travel on the M8 that weekend.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The project to refurbish and re-waterproof this bridge deck is essential to ensuring that this motorway structure continues to provide a safe and reliable service for years to come.

“We thank motorists in advance for their patience and understanding and recommend that they check the latest travel updates and allow extra travel time or consider alternative routes during these periods.”

All work is weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, or on X at @trafficscotland.