The M80 Stepps to Haggs project has dramatically reduced traffic congestion and journey times for drivers on one of Scotland’s busiest roads. The scheme won the prestigious Saltire Society Civil Engineering Award in 2013.
The new motorway has improved the existing A80 road that forms part of a key strategic network linking Glasgow, Stirling and the North East of Scotland. The A80 previously carried large volumes of commuter and freight traffic, with frequent congestion occurring during peak hours. The Scottish Government procured the major improvement project through a Design, Build, Finance and Operate contract. AECOM was designer/checker, delivering design work for the scheme’s contractor. The project includes 18km of new motorway, seven new junctions, drainage systems and new access roads.
The design incorporated many different technical elements, including road geometry, structures, landscape designs, ecology and noise assessments. The technically challenging project had a core design period of just nine months and construction was carried out while managing a live traffic flow of up to 73,000 vehicles per day.