Transport secretary Mark Harper has given the green light for a £210m VolkerFitzpatrick motorway project in the South of England.
The contractor will upgrade Junction 9 of the M3 near Winchester, Hampshire, after the development consent order was granted.
VolkerFitzpatrick was appointed to the scheme back in 2022 but an examination of the proposals by the Planning Inspectorate took 14 months.
Harper received the body’s recommendation to approve the scheme three months ago and rubber-stamped the project this week.
During peak periods, more than 6,000 vehicles can pass through the junction in an hour.
The upgrade will create four lanes of running traffic in each direction as well as a free-flow link between the motorway and the A34.
VolkerFitzpatrick will also build three new bridges, rearrange the main junction roundabout and provide new underpasses and other structures.
Existing sub-base will be tested and relaid, and the contractor said measures are in place to minimise ecological impact on the surrounding area, including the South Downs National Park.
The firm pledged to engage with nearby primary schools and subcontractors from the surrounding area.
National Highways has been progressing land and utility surveys during the planning process to further detailed design work, with some overnight road closures taking place.
Work on the main project could begin on site early next year.