The largest crane in the United Kingdom will be but to use to help construct the new £5,000,000 footbridge that spans the M8 at Harthill Services. The M8 itself will be closed for half an hour so that the gigantic crane can carefully lower the new bridge into place. The bridge itself is a stunning piece of architecture crafted from tubular steel and glass and is 63 metres long. It was constructed in seven different pieces that were welded together. Motorists will not be able to come off the M8 to access services
from 7:00PM. The motorway will then be closed down half an hour later
between junctions 4 and 5 before re-opening at 8:00PM. It is expected that the whole operation will only take half an hour and many local dignitaries and VIP's will attend, along with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson.
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman stated that "communities around Harthill
will have a good view of this significant stage of the construction of
the bridge." | 