The completion of the M74 will bring significant economic and social benefits to businesses, communities and industry in the West of Scotland and the country as a whole, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Glasgow to mark the start of construction work on the M74 completion project.
The Scottish Government, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils are to spend £445m to complete the M74, due to open in 2011.
Salmond said: “Completion of the vital missing link in the M74 will reduce congestion and provide strategic transport links for industry in the West of Scotland. Better access for customers and suppliers will benefit thousands of businesses in the surrounding areas.
“Shorter journey times on local roads will help communities as well as business and will greatly help the preparation and hosting of Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Regeneration will be a direct result of the completion of the M74, helping to tackle pockets of unemployment through development of prime sites along the Clyde Corridor and areas in Glasgow's east end and south side such as Rutherglen and Cambuslang.”
The project is a partnership between the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, the principal funder, and Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils.
Dr Malcolm Reed, the chief executive of Transport Scotland: "The M74 Completion project is one of Scotland's biggest transport infrastructure schemes and represents our commitment to delivering trunk road and rail networks that will play a significant role in growing Scotland's economy in the 21st century. When it is completed, it will improve journey times, cut congestion and open up new opportunities for businesses and inward investment in the West of Scotland and beyond."
Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “The completion of the M74 is a key infrastructure undertaking for Glasgow and the West of Scotland generally.
"Glasgow has argued for decades that this project is crucial to the future growth of the city. With construction underway it will not be too long before we see the associated benefits that completing this stretch of motorway and the East End Regeneration route will bring for city, including economic prosperity, regeneration and the opportunity to bring jobs and homes to some of our most deprived communities.”
The contractor is Interlink M74 JV, a joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine, four of the UK's major civil engineering contractors.
A freephone helpline will be available 24 hours, seven days a week on 0800 328 1697 for members of the public who have any queries in relation to the works.
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