Motorists have been warned to expect "major delays" near the Raith Interchange in Lanarkshire after a giant pothole appeared in a bridge.
One lane of the M74 southbound between Junction 5 (Raith) and Junction 6 (Hamilton) is closed for emergency repairs tonight after the crater appeared on the crossing over the A725 Raith roundabout.
Long delays expected on the #M74 (S) J5 Raith due to emergency works: https://t.co/ZMteYQCL2R Traffic is currently back to J2 😖 #SlowMoving
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 19, 2016
High volumes of traffic and the recent cold snap have been blamed for damaging the road surface.
Transport Scotland has advised motorists to avoid the area if possible and to expect major delays.
Diversions are in place.
Northbound traffic is unaffected.
*UPDATE* ⚠ #M74 (S) J5 Raith - 1 lane ONLY running S/B. Traffic now back to J3 as a result #ExpectDelays #BeAware pic.twitter.com/36MtJL5T6a
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 19, 2016
The junction will close completely from 10pm this evening to allow engineers from trunk road maintenance company, Amey, to carry out a permanent repair. Both lanes of the M74 are expected to re-open to traffic around 6am tomorrow in time for the morning peak.
*UPDATE* Pothole being repaired on #M74 S/B at J5 Raith BUT #ExpectDelays & keep checking back for updates ⚠ pic.twitter.com/JPJEY2Jiby
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 19, 2016
This section of the carriageway is currently in contraflow due to the ongoing M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvement Project with 2 lanes running in each direction.
The damage has occurred to lane 1, previously the southbound hard shoulder, which was being used as a running lane to allow the construct a new bridge on the northbound carriageway.
*NEW* ⚠ #M74 (S) J2 - Lane 1 & 2 blocked due to a multi-vehicle RTC 😔 Police are en-route but traffic is very slow 🚓 pic.twitter.com/VLlEP4gOxT
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 19, 2016
Meanwhile, a "multi-vehicle" road crash on the southbound carriageway of the M74 between J1a (Polmadie Road) - J2 (Cambuslang Road) shortly after 5pm led to the closure of two lanes while emergency services responded at the scene.
They are expected to remain closed to traffic for around half an hour.
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