The Scottish Government has approved the upgrade of the A8 Baillieston to Newhouse section of the M8 motorway connecting Edinburgh and Glasgow cities in Scotland to motorway status, following public consultation.

The go ahead for the motorway section upgrade will complete the M8 motorway network.

The upgrade includes improvements to the M74 Raith Interchange and the M8, M73, M74 and will be financed under a £310m ($484m) public works package.

The procurement process will begin in 2011-12, following completion of regulatory approvals.