Cycling and walking connection to Glasgow city centre almost complete

A BRIDGE across the M8 motorway running through Glasgow – for cyclists and walkers – is almost complete, offering a direct connection from one of the city’s biggest regeneration schemes to its centre.

Says the city’s council (here), the Sighthill area of the city is being regenerated to the tune of £250m: “When complete, the neighbourhood will feature almost 1,000 new homes, a new community schools campus, a new park, a new public square and public spaces, new shops and businesses, and an active travel network.”

Details of the regeneration can be found, here.

This week, the final section of steel that will be used to construct the bridge was delivered.

Adds the council: “In total, 18 sections of steel have been transported along the motorway, at night, and lifted into a temporary position for further fabrication. Over the next three months, the steel sections will be welded together to form the new bridge, which is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

“With an overall span of 58 metres and a total weight of 2420 tonnes, the bridge will be fabricated on-site and then ‘driven’ down the M8 before being lifted into position by hydraulic jacks. This will require a series of partial and full closures of the M8 later this summer.

“As part of the bridge project, work has already begun on the terraced approach and plaza. When completed, this ‘Street in the Sky’ will provide a new active travel corridor between the city centre, Sighthill and north Glasgow.”

Picture credit: City of Glasgow Council