Scheme outline
Upgrade of the M20 between junction 3 (M26) and junction 5 (the A20 west of Maidstone) to Smart Motorway standard. This section of the M20 has three lanes in each direction and is particularly busy, running between the M26 and Maidstone. West of this section, traffic disperses between the M20 and M26; east of this section the motorway was widened in the 1990s and already operates with variable speed limits.
The work will include conversion of the hard shoulder into a permanent fourth running lane, construction of new emergency areas, and installation of electronic message signs and surveillance equipment. Teapot Lane footbridge will be replaced as part of the works because it does not presently provide enough clearance for the hard shoulder to be used as a live lane.
This scheme is part of the Smart Motorways programme of works.
Timescale
Cost
Status
Under construction
Type
Highway authority
Funding
Progress
They have successfully built a compound on the A228 just north of junction 4. It might be deja vous but I am sure thats the exact spot that was a compound for widening the southbound bridge and they returned it to a field about 6 months ago.....
The M20 will be closed this weekend between Junctions 4 and 6 to allow for works removing the Teapot Lane footbridge.
Proposed closure of the M20 to demolish Teapot Lane footbridge on 27th-30th July has been called off 'in the light of the continuing hot weather and predicted high levels of traffic'.
The postponed closure of the M20 to demolish the Teapot Lane footbridge has been scheduled for the 14th - 17th September. The new, replacement footbridge is scheduled to be installed between the 9th - 12th November, when the M20 will also be closed between Junctions 4 and 6.
The M20 reopened today, a day earlier than planned, as the works to remove the bridge were completed earlier than expected.
The rebuilding of the Teapot Lane bridge has been delayed by a week, to the 16th - 19th November. This is to allow for easier journeys for Remembrance Sunday, which would have fallen during the original closure.
More information
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WIth thanks to Tom Kitcher for information on this page.
The Highways England website now says main construction is underway as of May 2018.