Traffic lights are to be installed at a busy Hamilton road junction in a three-month programme beginning this week.
Signals are being introduced at the junction of the A723 Gateside Street and Johnstone Road, near Woodside Primary, as the first of four sets of road upgrades connected with development of the Hamilton community growth area.
Day one of the works is Monday, January 13 – and will be followed by projects at the Strathaven Road/Mill Road junction, improvements to the roundabout linking Wellhall, Hillhouse and Woodfoot Roads, then alterations to the junction of the latter street with Laighstonehall Road.
Roads officials from South Lanarkshire Council say that “temporary traffic management” will be used during each of the four phases – with the overall project expected to be completed in the autumn or winter of this year – and add that “delays and disruption are to be expected during these works”.
They said in an online post: “It is anticipated that temporary traffic signals will be in operation for much of the works, with the potential for road closures for some aspects of the works. This ensures that all road users and those undertaking the works are in a safe environment.”
Signs are in place on Gateside Street to alert road users and council officials say that local shops, businesses and residences have also been advised of the opening phase of work, which will see “off-site works” at the roundabout junction to introduce the new traffic lights.
It is anticipated to take between two and three months – and the same timescale applies to the three later phases of work, which are “being phased to avoid disruption to the area as much as possible”, and council officials add: “Specific details of the works will be communicated before they begin.”
Funding of £4,2 million granted by the external City Deal is being used for the alterations.
The South Lanarkshire statement added: “The main works are being phased to avoid disruption to the area as much as possible, and there will also be some advanced works at the other projects in the run-up to each phase being started.”
South Lanarkshire head of roads Colin Park said: “Due to the nature of these works, temporary traffic management will be in place for the duration of each phase. Unfortunately delays and disruption are expected during these works, but every effort will be made to minimise it.
“On completion, these junctions it will be easier for pedestrians and drivers to use and allow these corridors to operate more efficiently.”
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