M27 closure: Drivers to face heavy delays this weekend as three-day closure starts
Heavy delays are expected on the M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton with a three-day closure in place.
The motorway will be shut between Junction 3, at the slip road to the M271, and Junction 4 at the turn-off for the M3, between 9pm on Friday and 6am on Monday.
Roadworks will be taking place to finish the final stage of the £19 million project to replace the old Romsey Road bridge.
Highways England has put a 55-mile diversion in place for westbound drivers, taking them up the M3 and westbound on the A303 to reach their destination.
The agency say the diversion is needed to avoid country roads around the roadworks site becoming gridlocked over the weekend.
It is the third time in the last couple of years that the route will be closed for roadworks – and both times the road reopened earlier than the initial time given.
SEE ALSO: When the M27 closure will start and end
For the final weekend closure, Highways England will be demolishing the old Romsey Road bridge and the motorway has to be shut to allow this to happen safely.
The new bridge was opened to vehicles and pedestrians in December 2019.