Roadworks have been ongoing on the Woodside viaduct in Cowcaddens, east of the Charing Cross junction, since 2021.
The works are expected to last until the second part of 2027.
However, the works are temporary and a permanent solution has to be found, including the idea of removing a stretch of the motorway completely.
Whatever the outcome of the consultation, it will cost between £100million and £500m and involve several more years of disruption.
While there have been contractors on the site for more than five years, it has been to safely prop up the viaducts and years of further work is needed to ensure safety if the M8 is to continue to flow through the city centre.
The temporary works are estimated to cost up to £152m. It is recognised that the propping up has a limited lifespan, is expensive and means roads below need to remain closed.
For a permanent solution, transport officials are now looking at either repairing the current structure, demolishing it and replacing it with a new viaduct or removing it altogether.
Removal would mean the M8 being stopped up at the Townhead junction to the east and Charing Cross to the west.
(Image: Transport Scotland)
Removal is the cheapest of the three options, with an estimate of £125million, and take between one and two years however, it will have an impact on traffic.
It would mean the 150,000 vehicles per day that currently use the road being diverted on to other routes.
Transport Scotland states:” Whilst removing the M8 Woodside Viaducts is an option under consideration, it is anticipated to have major detrimental impacts on traffic flows, connectivity, network resilience, and journey time reliability, both on the trunk road network and Glasgow’s local roads.”
It would involve motorway traffic being diverted to use the M74, avoiding the city and Kingston Bridge with local trips diverted on to the city roads
The Kingston Bridge would still be operational.
(Image: Transport Scotland)
The other two options are most costly and will take longer.
Repairing the viaducts is estimated to cost up to £200m and last for up to three years.
The structures are significant pieces of engineering, carrying the M8 above city streets the eastbound bridge is 364 metres long and the westbound longer at 437m before it drops below Charing Cross towards the Kingston Bridge.
The repair option would see engineers strengthen parts of the viaducts and then the temporary propping up would be removed and the roads and pavements below re-opened again to vehicles and pedestrians.
(Image: Transport Scotland)
The option to replace the viaducts is the most expensive,estimated to cost between £200m to £500m and take up to four years.
It would involve demolishing the existing structure and building new bridges to modern standards. It would lead to significant disruption during the works and cause noise pollution for those living and working nearby.
(Image: Transport Scotland)
There are no specific starting timescales for any of the projects.
An information event has been held at Dundasvale Court.
A second event will be held at Woodside Halls, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, 10am to 5pm , 36 Glenfarg Street,
More information can be found at https://www.pinpointcloud.co.uk/M8WoodsideViaducts where feedback to the options can also be given
