Huge progress in the demolition of part of the M27 as part of a major junction upgrade
Huge progress is being made in the demolition of part of the M27 which will allow an underpass to be moved into place as part of a major junction upgrade.
The team working on the Hampshire County Council-led project are removing around 24,000 m³ of material - enough to fill about 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools - while the motorway is closed between junctions 9 and 11.
The motorway surface was completely removed by 3.30am this morning (Christmas Day) after work began in the early hours, and will continue overnight and throughout tomorrow.
As previously reported by The News the works are part of a major upgrade to Junction 10 which, when complete, will mean traffic can enter and exit both directions - with only one direction currently possible.
Drivers are being advised to plan ahead to avoid severe delays with the motorway closed completely in both directions between Junctions 9 (Whiteley) and 11 (Fareham), since last night (December 24) until 4am on January 4 2026.
Over the closure period, a giant pre-constructed concrete structure weighing approximately 8,500 tonnes - 2.5 times heavier than HMS Victory - will be slid 65 metres into a trench cut into the motorway embankment, from its construction location on the northern side of the M27.
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The box slide, which has been visible to drivers passing along the M27 with it being constructed next to the carriageway, will create a new carriageway beneath the motorway as part of the £100 million plus scheme, with the motorway then fully reconstructed above it.
The construction of the 6,000-home Welborne Garden Village has prompted the need for the works.