THIS WEEK IN 1973: Shaping the highway to the west'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹

The magnificent men in their flyover machines were rolling out the mammoth M27 motorway.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Sep 2018, 11:37 BST
Updated 7th Sep 2018, 12:42 BST
A new landmark takes shape on the Hamble, as work progresses on the bridge to carry the M27 over the river at Bursledon.A new landmark takes shape on the Hamble, as work progresses on the bridge to carry the M27 over the river at Bursledon.
A new landmark takes shape on the Hamble, as work progresses on the bridge to carry the M27 over the river at Bursledon.

Over hills, through dales, across minor roads and rivers, they were accomplishing the motorway miracle. 

The 12.5 miles of carriageways between Portsbridge and Windhover, near Botley, were dramatically and speedily taking shape.

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The time target they were working towards was the spring of 1975, when this section and the first section of Portsmouth's North-South motorway were to be completed.

Thirty-one bridges and underpasses were built, including a bridge over the railway at Paulsgrove, a 340ft. bridge across Tipnor Lake and three miles of adjoining side roads. The motorway opened in stages from 1975-83. 

Related topics:M27PaulsgrovePortsmouthNorth