The motorway was opened in stages between 1975 and 1983, and these photos from our archive show what the route looked like both before and during construction.
Times have certainly changed a bit. See our gallery below.
2. M27
The fledgling Portsbridge roundabout with the M27 flyover under construction. Photo: -
3. M27
A couple police cars drive up the empty M27 in September 1975 Picture: The News PP4966 Photo: -
4. M27
Not a moonscape but the M27 under construction. Looking west into the distance is the M27 from Hilsea roundabout into the distant Portchester. Picture: Tony Triggs collection. Photo: -
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