The next stage of a major construction project to widen the M25 in Hertfordshire is being marked by public exhibition at Hunton Bridge in Abbots Langley.
The Highways Agency is widening the motorway from three lanes to four between junction 16, for the M40, and junction 23, for the A1(M). The M25 is also being given an extra lane in both directions between junctions 27 and 30. The projects are part of major Government investment to improve journey time reliability and safety on Europe’s busiest motorway.
Widening work began at junction 16 in April 2009. The Highways Agency is about to complete the first stage of this widening on time, with work between junctions 18 and 21 starting in June.
John Martin, Highways Agency project manager, said:”Increasing the number of lanes will improve the M25′s reliability in both journey times and safety for road users. The two widening projects on either side of the motorway north of the capital represent a major challenge for the Highways Agency. We are keeping three lanes open in both directions during the work to minimise disruption to road users.
“The exhibition is just one way of explaining to local residents and others about how the work is progressing and how we will keep traffic flowing during the widening, to answer their questions and highlight the benefits an extra lane will bring.”
Widening both sections of the M25, to the north-west and north-east of London, is due to be completed before the Olympics in 2012.
Held over two days – Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March – at the Hunton Bridge Hotel in Hunton Bridge, the exhibition will give the public an opportunity to see the benefits of adding an extra lane to the M25 throughout Hertfordshire, used by up to 200,000 vehicles a day.
The two widening schemes, and refurbishment of the Hatfield Tunnel on the A1(M), are being carried out by Connect Plus on behalf of the Highways Agency. The projects are employing up to 4,000 people.
