M27 reopened and 55-mile diversion lifted after bridge works are completed
A 55-MILE diversion on the M27 has been lifted after final works to replace the old Romsey Road bridge were completed.
The motorway had been shut between J3, at the slip road to the M271, and J4, at the M3 turn-off, from 9pm on Friday.
Highways England announced the road reopened just after midnight – hours before its scheduled 6am slot.
Highways England said on Twitter: ‘The closures on the #M27 east and westbound between #J3 #Nursling and #J4 #Chilworth including the #M3 southbound link to #M27 for the #Romsey Road bridge have been lifted as these works have completed - so road re-open.’
In a bid to avoid gridlock, a lengthy diversion which avoided country roads was in place while the route was shut.
This weekend’s closure marked the final stage in a £19m project, seeing the old Romsey Road bridge demolished.
The motorway had to be shut off for divers’ safety.