Sighthill M8 bridge marks key stage with delivery of final steel section
Camberley / Glasgow, 22 March 2021 - BAM Nuttall has reached a key milestone in its delivery of an iconic new bridge in Glasgow with the delivery of the final section of steel that will be used to construct a landmark new cyclist and pedestrian bridge over the M8.
The bridge will reconnect Sighthill to the nearby city centre as part of a £250 million regeneration of the area which will offer affordable housing within walking distance of Strathclyde University, Queen Street Station and Glasgow’s most popular shopping locations.
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.
The regeneration of Sighthill is the biggest such project in the UK outside of London. 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.
Dougie Grant, BAM Nuttall Divisional Director, said: ‘Now that the steel sections have arrived you can get a sense of how unique this bridge will be - it will be like no other bridge on the M8. It will be a symbol of the sustainable regeneration of Sighthill, helping to transform the north of Glasgow, facilitating the creation of new homes, jobs, opportunities and links to the city centre.’
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region, said: ‘This new bridge will act as a gateway between Sighthill and Glasgow city centre, and is very much a striking symbol of the reconnection of both and the transformation of Sighthill. This next step in the project underlines the importance of this bridge, which will bring significant economic, environmental and social benefits to not only the reconnected Sighthill and city centre, but North Glasgow as a whole.’
Click here for more information on the regeneration of Sighthill.
The Glasgow City Region City Deal sees both the Scottish and UK Governments give £500 million in funding to infrastructure projects.