Work has started on two major junction improvements schemes on the UK’s M27 motorway, which runs for 25 miles (40km) along the country’s south coast, serving the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and popular holiday destinations. The upgrade work that is underway has been funded by the Government’s £317m (US$487.6m) Pinch Point Program on motorways and major trunk roads for delivery by spring 2015, which forms part of the biggest program of road enhancements since the 1970s to reduce congestion, increase safety and improve journey times. Siemens has been selected to supply and install traffic signals and controllers for both of the intersection improvements schemes. The orders have been placed by civil contractors, Interserve Construction Limited and Jackson Civil Engineering Limited, in order to help alleviate the flow of traffic joining and leaving the busy M27 motorway. The projects are both in Hampshire, with one at Junction 3 near Southampton, and the other at Junction 5 near Southampton Airport and Eastleigh.
With work due to be completed by later in the spring this year, the improvements at both junctions will see additional lanes added on some approach roads and sections of the roundabouts, as well as new traffic signals installed to increase capacity. At Junction 3, the north section of the roundabout is being signalized and existing signals on the westbound exit slip road will be replaced and additional lanes added. All sections of the roundabout will be linked to the region’s Siemens-supplied Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system. At Junction 5, the northeast and northwest sections of the roundabout are being signalized. Existing signals on the eastbound exit slip road are being replaced and additional lanes added. All sections of the roundabout will also be linked to the UTC network. The additional capacity on these two busy junctions will allow the roundabouts to work more efficiently to reduce congestion and improve journey times. Siemens Consultancy Services was also involved in both traffic signal designs, working alongside Enterprise Mouchel Highways.
