Motorists warned of M27 closure for 1,000-tonne bridge replacement

MOTORISTS using the M27 face another weekend closure for a new bridge deck weighing over 1,000 tonnes to be lifted into place in a spectacular operation near Romsey.

Major diversions will be in place between Junction 3, the M271 interchange at Romsey, and Junction 5 serving Southampton airport from 10pm on Friday 28th June to 5am on Monday 1st July.

One of the main alternative routes is the A35 between Totton and Southampton, and another through Romsey to the M3 at Chandler’s Ford.

This is the second key phase in a £19m project to replace the Romsey Road bridge over the M27 with the new deck.

A Highways England spokesperson said: “The bridge deck weighs 1,069 tonnes and measures 47 metres long by 16 metres wide.

“It is being moved and lifted on self-propelled modular transporters which are like robotic lorries that can lift, as well as move along the ground.”

The work was due to have been carried out a couple of months ago but was postponed because of difficult ground conditions.

Last weekend the M27 was closed between junctions 9 and 11 for demolition of a footbridge, with a diversion through Fareham resulting in major congestion.

The Romsey closure follows last year’s M27 shutting for demolition of one of two bridges carrying the Romsey Road. That was speedily completed with both the M27 and A3057 (Romsey Road) reopening 16 hours early.