Contract to deliver new pedestrian bridge approved

The contract for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge in Glasgow has been awarded.

Councillors approved the move, which will see BAM Nuttall Ltd deliver a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the M8, with construction beginning next month.

The bridge will connect Sighthill and Glasgow city centre and, according to council leader Susan Aitken, will “transform and encourage connectivity”.

She said: “This new bridge will transform and encourage connectivity to and from Sighthill and will very much be a symbol of the emerging regeneration and revitalisation of the north of Glasgow.

“Communities like Sighthill are so close to the centre of Glasgow but have for far too long felt remote from it, physically, socially and economically.

“The new bridge will connect a vibrant new community to the benefits of its wonderful location and to the wider city.”

The contract – worth £18.4m – will see the current one replaced with a structure which is meant to be more attractive and fit for purpose.

The plans are part of the £250m Sighthill transformational regeneration .

Road closures on the motorway will take place overnight as Transport Scotland won’t allow them during the day.

The bridge will be moved in, in one overnight closure, to try and keep the disruption to a very minimum.

The project will begin in February, with completion expected in late summer 2021.

BAM Nuttall Ltd will demolish the existing North Wallace Street footbridge and an existing high mast light and then build the new footbridge over the M8 including wing walls and ramps on both approaches.

They will retain walls on the south approaches, complete landscaping (with a five-year maintenance programme) and construct two new high mast lights.

Final funding of the contract will be considered for approval at the Glasgow City Region Cabinet.

Story by local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter