We’re delighted to announce that our £200 million project to improve journeys on the M3 in Hampshire has been given the go-ahead by the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.
The changes are being made around junction 9 of the motorway near Winchester, which has regularly seen lengthy queues for drivers heading between the motorway and the A34.
National Highways has said the scheme will improve connections between the south coast, the Midlands and London, as well as reducing congestion. Work on the changes is due to begin in January 2025 and last for around three years.
As part of the project, VolkerFitzpatrick are widening the junction and constructing two new bridges to create a new gyratory, allowing the M3 to increase from 3 lanes to 4 as it passes under the junction.
The southbound slip road onto the M3 will be extended so traffic has more time to join the motorway and improve the safety of the junction with upgraded signs and gantries.
Walkers, cyclists and horse-riders will also benefit from the project with non-motorised routes connecting Kings Worthy and Winnall and Long Walk and Easton Lane.
The new junction includes:
• Changes so that it has free-flowing links between the M3 and the A34 in both directions.
• Widening the junction by introducing a fourth lane to both sides of the M3 as it passes under a new gyratory.
• Extending the southbound slip road onto the M3 so traffic has more time to join the motorway and improve the safety of the junction with upgraded signs and gantries.
• Improving provision for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders with non-motorised routes connecting Kings Worthy and Winnall, and Long Walk and Easton Lane.
The proposals also include 2.8km of new cycling and walking provision, including 4 subways and a toucan crossing, along with 1.7km of bridleway.
We are delighted with today’s announcement that the DCO for the M3 junction 9 improvement has been granted. We look forward to commencing construction to start solving the issues at the junction. This represents years of working with local communities and key stakeholders to create the best possible solution. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development of the project so far. We will continue to work closely with people to keep them informed and minimise disruption as we move into the construction phase."
Tom Beasley National Highways’ Senior Project Manager