A two-year, £48m project to overlay the concrete surface of a section of the M27 with a lower-noise asphalt is set to begin next week.
National Highways said the new surface between junctions 5 and 7 will reduce noise pollution for those living closest to the motorway and provide ‘a safer, smoother road'.
It added that it had increased the scope of the works to also include additional drainage repairs, ‘which unfortunately delayed the planned start of the works'.
The website for the scheme states that it was due to start last autumn and be finished in spring 2025, giving a cost of £48m.
However, it adds: ‘Our current programme shows that the majority of on-site work will be completed by Spring 2026.'
Richard Scrase, National Highways' programme delivery manager for the South East, told Highways: ‘We are looking forward to delivering this much-needed project which will reduce noise for nearby communities, ensure a smoother ride for road users and extend the life of this vital road.
‘Work to upgrade and improve the M27 will start next week on 5 February, where overnight lane closures will be in place so road users can still use the M27 while contractors begin to carry out preparatory work. This will include ground surveys, concrete repairs and the installation of temporary CCTV cameras.
‘Once this is complete, we will be running three narrow lanes in both directions As soon as these dates are confirmed we will write to local residents and stakeholders.'
The work will see the concrete layer of the carriageway overlaid with 180mm of low-noise surface asphalt.
National Highways said that due to the thickness of this new layer, it will need to make changes to the existing barrier systems, drainage, structures and other assets.
Additional drainage works will also be carried out, as well as the construction of a new concrete barrier in the central reservation.
Verges beside each carriageway will be raised by 180mm, to be level with the new road surface.
