The Government has approved a £290m road scheme that will shave off almost a third from the average peak journey time.
Peak time journeys through the junction to the A272 into Winchester will be almost 30 per cent faster. Between the M3 and A34, drivers will save more than 20 per cent of their overall journey time during peak hours.
To mark this significant landmark for drivers and businesses in Hampshire, the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, visited the M3 Junction 9 to mark the approval of the scheme and understand its impact on the local economy.
She said: “Anyone who uses this junction knows how frustrating it can be. But our £290m investment will save thousands of hours for commuters, tourists and freight every week, unlocking the true potential of our ports to deliver economic growth.
“This Government is investing in vital road schemes with huge economic benefits, and so far we’ve invested half a billion pounds for six schemes across England to renew our long neglected national infrastructure.”
Ministers have given the go ahead as part of a wider drive to unblock vital transport infrastructure development.
The new design will also improve safety, by extending the southbound slip road onto the M3 so traffic has more time to join the motorway. The number of lanes on the M3 will be increased from three to four through the junction, as it passes under a wider gyratory, with free-flowing links between the M3 and the A34 in both directions.
Drivers in Hampshire are also set to benefit from improved road surfaces, thanks to a recently announced £52.9m uplift in highway maintenance funding.