A MIDNIGHT hush descended on the crowd as they watched Europe's largest mobile crane gently lower the massive steel beam into place.
Exclusive by Franck Martin
A MIDNIGHT hush descended on the crowd as they watched Europe's largest mobile crane gently lower the massive steel beam into place.
They saw the moment when the gap between the M74 and the M8 was finally bridged.
At the heart of the project was the colossal crane responsible for placing the beams into their correct positions. At 180ft it weighs 1200 tonnes, takes three days to assemble, has a 270ft jib and is so big it had to be delivered to the construction site in 45 lorries.
Standing on top of what is soon to be a slip road of the M74, Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson praised the team behind the construction project.
He said: "This a great moment for the people of Glasgow and the whole of Scotland.
"Today we are finally seeing the real evidence connecting the M74 and the M8 and bridging that gap in Glasgow's transport structure.
"Westbound traffic will be reduced, as will the environmental impact of traffic on the city."
The M74/M8 Link Bridge is being manufactured in 20 sections which, when joined, forms eight larger beam sections each weighing 200 tonnes and 250 yards in length. If laid end to end they would be the equivalent length of four football pitches.
David Welsh, project director of Interlink M74 Joint Venture, was delighted the move went to plan.
He said: "The works are already visible and these beams emphasise the significant progress being made. These dramatic changes to the landscape will continue over the next few months as embankments are completed and other bridge beams are craned into place throughout the project."
Eddy Warren, of Interlink construction, added: "At its height, this project will employ nearly 1000 people and through their hard work we will be able to make a real difference to the daily lives of the people of Glasgow."
Each beam took around 90minutes to move and secure and a team of 60 engineers and construction workers were on hand to ensure the delicate operation went to plan.
Representatives from Glasgow City Council also attended the event.
Chris Thompson, chairman of South Lanarkshire Council's Enterprise Resources Committee, highlighted that the project has brought jobs and training to local people.
He said: "This is a great day for Greater Glasgow.
"We have put together the missing link of the M74, easing major congestion on the M8, as well as moving traffic more quickly along the M77.
"It opens up vast economic development opportunities and kickstarts the Clyde Gateway project, where we will have the Commonwealth Games."
Bailie James McNally, executive member for land and environment, worked in the very first stage of the M74 project in 1963 as a first year engineering student.
He said: "I was here when the first sods were cut and we are now seeing the last stages of the motorway. It is a great day."
Scaffolder Richard McFadden was excited to see the motorways finally coming together.
He said: "This project has really helped the loxal communities and provided quality training and hundreds of jobs for young people."
Among the onlookers was Julie Kerr, of Queen's Park. She said: "I am an amateur photographer and when I heard the first beam was being placed I decided to come along and see. It is very impressive."
