Drivers have been warned that a portion of the M25 will be closed for several weeks as crucial work gets underway, potentially leading to traffic chaos.
National Highways will need to shut the M25 junction 28 clockwise exit slip road for seven weekends to allow work on the gantry base to begin.
The closures form part of the £170 million upgrades to the junction of the motorway between the M25 and the A12 in Essex which is expected to be completed next year.
The next stage of work will see the junction shut on Friday, September 6 at 11pm until Monday, September 9 at 5am.
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Improvements form part of a £170million project for the area
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
During the weekend closure, a signed diversion will be in place via the M25 J29 and returning on the anticlockwise carriageway.
National Highways detailed: “We're moving to the next phase of our works - building the new gantry base.
“We've chosen weekend closures as the least disruptive option for road users. Other options, like putting continuous traffic management in place for several weeks, would cause more inconvenience to people at peak times.
“J28 plays a huge role in connecting the A12 and the M25 and provides access to Brentwood via the A1023. Up to 7,500 vehicles pass through the junction roundabout at peak times.”
The junction improvements will help reduce congestion and delays and positively impact air quality.
The need for change comes as research by the agency found that traffic in the area is expected to increase by around 30 per cent by 2037, which means that over 9,000 vehicles could be passing through it by this date.
Since 2022, National Highways has been working on building a new two-lane loop road, for traffic travelling from the M25 anti-clockwise onto the A12 eastbound towards Brentwood.
This included the construction of new bridges to “take the loop road over or under the other road links, and the Weald Brook; new signage and changes to the landscape”.
Hugh McNally, GRAHAM Project Manager, said: “The installation of the Duckwood Bridge beams marks a fantastic achievement on the scheme, made possible by the team’s technical expertise and continuous dedication.
“With the last set of bridge beams now installed on the project, we work towards completion of the remaining structural concrete works in Autumn 2024.”
Other updates include changes to the hanging position of the A12 eastbound exit slip road and the M25 anti-clockwise entry slip road to allow for the new loop road.
Meanwhile, the M25 anti-clockwise carriageway will be widened to provide more space for traffic leaving for the A12 eastbound.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Duckwood Bridge beams were installed over the summer
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The next set of closures will take place on Friday, September 13 with the motorway closing from 11pm and will reopen on Monday, September 16 at 5am.
