The European Investment Bank, Europe’s long-term lending institution, has agreed to provide a funding contribution of GBP 175 million (US$ 229.09 million) towards the completion of the motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh.  The investment programme will include both completion of the M8 motorway between Scotland’s two largest cities and major improvements to the M73 and M74.

Drivers will benefit from reduced congestion as well as safer and quicker journeys as a result of the new M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project. The scheme will create hundreds of jobs during construction and, once complete, will significantly reduce congestion on one of Scotland’s busiest road networks. Long-term employment opportunities will also be created throughout the 30-year operation and maintenance of the new roads. Advanced works are currently underway and the road link will be designed, built, operated and maintained for 30 years following award of a concession agreement by the Scottish Government.

Debt financing for the project is equally split between a direct loan from the European Investment Bank and a bond placement with international investors. The new Scottish scheme represents the first UK road project involving bond finance since the global financial crisis in 2008, and is the largest project to be financed through the Scottish Government’s Non-Profit Distributing model.

The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting crucial investment that stimulates economic growth and improves lives in Scotland. This has included recent support for investment such as the new City of Glasgow College and there is a strong pipeline of future projects currently under consideration by the EIB including new hospitals, transport infrastructure and other flagship investment across Scotland.