Edinburgh road closure: M8 slip road near Livingston to close for five months for major roadworks

A busy slip road on the M8 in West Lothian will close for several months as refurbishment works take place.

Six months worth of roadworks will be carried out on the bridge that carries the eastbound slip road off the M8 and over the A899, at Junction 3 near Livingston. The work is scheduled to start early in 2023.

The slip road will be closed from mid-February for around five months. Diversions will be clearly signposted to maintain access to Livingston from the M8.

The concrete structure, which was originally built in 1970, will benefit from a £1.3m upgrade, which will ensure its long-term use and safety for motorists.

A slip road on the M8 in West Lothian is set to close for five months.

Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “An estimated 50,000 vehicles use the road each week. Reliance on this slip road has grown as Livingston’s popularity as a commuter town between Edinburgh and Glasgow has increased along with its reputation as a shopping destination. This project is about ensuring it continues to serve the community reliably for years to come.

“These improvements will reduce the need for future refurbishment and associated disruption on this scale again. It is essential for the safety of motorists and workers that the slip road is closed for much of the works programme. The relatively straightforward diversion route will be clearly signposted to ease the flow of traffic and ensure ongoing access to this important community hub.

“We thank motorists in advance for their patience while our teams carry out these important improvements.”