A key junction of the M25 in Essex is to close for seven weekends so a new gantry can be built as part of a £170 million upgrade, National Highways has announced.
National Highways says the exit slip road at junction 28 of the M25 - between the M25 and A12 near Brentwood - will be closed so the junction can be upgraded safely.The first of seven weekend closures is due to take place this weekend, from 11pm on Friday (September 6) until 5am on Monday (September 9).
The junction will then close for a second time the following weekend, from 11pm on September 13 until 5am on September 16.
The dates of the other five closures have not yet been confirmed.
During the closure, to reach the M25 J28 interchange from the M25 clockwise, drivers must continue on the M25 clockwise before exiting at junction 29, and returning by the M25 anticlockwise to junction 28.
The upgrade aims to increase capacity and reduce congestion at the junction, improve safety by redesigning the existing roundabout levels, and minimise local air and noise pollution by smoothing the flow of traffic.
National Highways said on its website: “The M25 junction 28 plays a huge role in connecting the A12 and the M25, as well as providing access to Brentwood via the A1023.
“Up to 7,500 vehicles pass through the junction roundabout at peak times.
“As it is operating at capacity, vehicles using the junction face congestion and delays, which effects local air quality. Our research shows that traffic is expected to increase in the area by around 30 per cent by 2037, which means that over 9,000 vehicles could be passing through it by this date.”
Improvements include building a new two-lane loop road for traffic travelling from the M25 anti-clockwise onto the A12 eastbound towards Brentwood, changing he position of the A12 entry and exit slip roads, and widening the M25 anti-clockwise carriageway, to give more space to traffic leaving for the A12 eastbound.
It is estimated the project will cost between £120 million and £170 million.
