National Highways have issued an update on the major project that is transforming Junction 9 of the M3 in Hampshire.

Work completed on site includes installation of steel beams earlier this year, which marked a key milestone in the construction of the new bridge decks that carry traffic and will form the alignment of the new roundabout.

The M3 Junction 9 upgrade is essential to support the building of 2,000 new homes in Winchester and will improve reliability for drivers – with peak time journeys set to be almost 30% faster through the junction to the A272. Between the M3 and A34, drivers will save more than 20% on journey times at peak hours.  

Tom Beasley, National Highways programme manager, said: “This junction is a key interchange for economic growth, connecting the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth to the rest of the country, but it needs an upgrade to unlock its full potential.”

Since the steel beams were installed, engineers have prepared the bridge deck surfaces and excavated the approaches that will connect to the new roundabout.

Reconfiguring the roundabout in this way will allow for the M3 to be increased from two lanes to four as it passes under the junction.

A new, dedicated A34 northbound link, is also being created which will provide a route for freight travel from the ports to the Midlands and beyond.

It comes as National Highways moves onto the next stage of the upgrade project, with three weekend closures planned over the coming months.

Over these closures it will be working to connect the new bridges to the existing roads and allow the new roundabout to be fully operational later this year.