I urge drivers to take extra care while they get used to the revised lane arrangements on the bridge

Transport Minister Sarah Boyack

The new traffic management arrangements will be monitored by the National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS) and Strathclyde Police to make sure they are operating safely and effectively.

Transport Minister Sarah Boyack said: "I urge drivers to take extra care while they get used to the revised lane arrangements on the bridge."

She said the re-opening of the lanes was good news for drivers.

"The Kingston Bridge is the busiest road bridge in Europe, carrying over 170,000 vehicles per day.

"The use of all 10 lanes on the bridge marks the end of vital strengthening work to ensure the bridge continues to function as the key link in the west of Scotland's motorway system," she said.

The restrictions were introduced in 1994 to allow the bridge to continue to carry traffic while the repairs were carried out.

The bridge was lifted last year

The work was needed to enable the bridge to cope with the growing volume of traffic.

The deck has been brought up to strength, the articulation of the bridge has been restored and the main piers have been replaced with stronger supports.

During the work the entire bridge was lifted because it had been shifting to one side.

The complete re-opening of the bridge will signal the end of the first phase.

However, remedial works are still needed on the parapets, the approach viaducts and the on and off ramps.

For drivers travelling westbound, the cones currently closing off lane four will be removed and all five lanes will be available to traffic.

Motorway access

Five lanes on the bridge will also be available to those heading eastbound, although the existing barrier between the motorway and the West Street on-ramp will remain.

It will continue to operate as a safety measure to prevent M8 eastbound traffic gaining access to the Clyde Expressway and traffic on the West Street on-ramp gaining access to the motorway until Charing Cross.

This decision was influenced by the reduction in accidents that followed the introduction of the traffic management scheme.

All weight restrictions on the bridge will also be lifted.