M4 closures this weekend between Slough and Maidenhead for smart motorway works

A section of the M4 will be close all weekend to traffic as work on an £848 million upgrade to add extra lanes and new technology continues.

The motorway will shut between junctions 6 ( Slough -Windsor) and 8/9 ( Maidenhead )

The closure is part of the four year smart motorway upgrade, which will see 32 miles of motorway converted and is due to be completed in 2022.

Around 130,000 vehicles travel on the M4 each day, the motorway is the main strategic route between London, the West of England and Wales.

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Much of the M4 was originally built as a two lane dual carriageway and has been upgraded several times over the years. Eleven bridges over the motorway need to be replaced to make room for a new lane where there is no existing hard shoulder.

To limit local disruption, most new bridges will be built next to the existing ones, before the old one is demolished or a temporary bridge will be installed. However, where there is not enough space for this, some bridges will be demolished first, then a new bridge built in the same place.

When is the closure?

The M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 6 (Slough-Windsor) and 8/9 (Maidenhead) from 9pm on Friday (July 17).

The stretch of road will reopen at 6am on Monday (July 20).

Diversions for driver this weekend

The diversion route for motorway traffic during this weekend will use the A308M, A308, A332 and the A355.

This is for construction of the new Oldway Lane bridge and demolition of the old Monkey Island Lane bridge.

Highways England says the smart motorway changes will create more reliable journeys along the route between junctions 3 and 12.