en.Wedoany.com Reported - National Highways is progressing with the upgrade of the M3 Junction 9, recently completing the installation of steel beams, marking a key milestone in the construction of new bridge decks that will carry traffic and form the road alignment of the new roundabout.

This junction is a major hub connecting the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth with the rest of the UK, and the upgrade aims to improve journeys for thousands of drivers daily and unlock economic benefits. Project director Tom Beasley said the time-lapse footage shows the extensive work carried out in recent months to prepare for the new roundabout, including deck surfacing after steel beam installation and excavation of approach roads in all directions.

The reconfigured roundabout will increase the M3 motorway beneath the junction from two to four lanes. The cameras also captured work on the new dedicated northbound A34 link road, which will provide a key route for freight traveling from the ports to the Midlands and beyond.

National Highways plans three weekend closures in the coming months to connect the new bridges with existing roads, enabling the new roundabout to open later this year. The specific closures are from 9pm on Friday, July 31 to 6am on Monday, August 3, and the weekends of August 21-24 and September 11-14, with the M3 mainline remaining open during all three closures. During each closure, sections of the A34, A33, and A272 Spitfire Link will be closed, and the northbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed from 9pm on Friday, July 31 until winter 2027.

The upgrade is crucial to supporting the construction of 2,000 new homes in Winchester. Journey times through the junction to the A272 during peak hours will be reduced by nearly 30%, and overall journey times between the M3 and A34 will be cut by over 20%. The project will also bring environmental benefits, including over 22 acres of chalk grassland and new routes for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.