Jim Logue has welcomed planning permission and confirmed Scottish Government support for a 2.3-kilometre access road serving the planned University Hospital Monklands.
The Towers Road Link will connect Towers Road with Forrest Street and the A89, including a bridge over the North Calder Water and a roundabout providing a second access to the hospital site.
North Lanarkshire Council granted planning permission this week. Holyrood has also confirmed a contribution to the project, although the council's announcement did not specify the amount.
The road will include active-travel measures, street lighting and landscaping. It forms the first delivery stage of the wider East Airdrie Link Road and the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor within the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Logue, the Labour council leader, said the route would improve links between town centres, homes and employment areas while supporting the hospital project. The council and NHS Lanarkshire are working together on delivery.
Construction is scheduled to start in 2028 and the link is planned to open in 2030. Those dates remain a programme rather than completed work.
The hospital itself is in a redesign phase, with refreshed proposals expected to go to Scottish ministers in 2027. Approval of the access road does not amount to final approval of the redesigned hospital scheme.
