Completion timetable

Summer 2002 - Public information and chance to view early plans Spring 2003 - Publication of orders and route confirmation Spring 2003 to autumn 2004 - Consultation and possible public inquiry Autumn 2004 to autumn 2005 - Invitation to tender, contracts awarded, start of construction 2008 - Construction complete, M74 opens to traffic.

Up to 12 minutes will be cut from journeys across Glasgow and the number of accidents will drop, saving about 180 lives and more than 1,100 serious injuries, according to the Scottish Executive.

Ms Alexander said it would also provide a major boost for regeneration of nearby sites for inward investment with the creation of more than 12,000 jobs.

She went on: "The M74 completion will regenerate areas of disused land and old industrial sites.

"This land will be landscaped and the entire project will create an estimated 350 jobs over the three-year construction period."

Drilling rigs will move in to carry out ground investigations on the most suitable line for the long-awaited route.

The road, which will be an alternative to the heavily-congested M8, would "end years of irritation and uncertainty for road users in west central Scotland", the minister added.

She was joined for the announcement by the leaders of the three councils whose areas include the M74 and M8 and who are contributing money to the scheme.

A website and leaflet offering information about the project was also launched.

Economic prosperity

Councillor Charlie Gordon, leader of Glasgow City Council, noted: "After more than 12 years of talk we are now seeing action to complete the M74."

South Lanarkshire leader Councillor Eddie McAvoy said: "We recognise that the extension is vital for the economic prosperity and regeneration of the area.

"This is particularly true in Cambuslang where it will turn numerous brownfield sites into prime development opportunities."

Councillor Jim Harkins, leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: "It will ensure the competitiveness of Glasgow International Airport as Scotland's premier airport and will maximise the benefits of current or planned investment along its length and on the M8 at Hillington, Renfrew and Inchinnan."