MOTORISTS are celebrating after the removal of a 50mph speed limit on the M3.
The 13.4 mile stretch of the road had been subject to a lower speed limit while a £174million scheme to upgrade the carriageway was completed.
A fourth lane was opened at the beginning of July and as of yesterday, the national speed limit is in place.
Drivers took to social media to reveal their relief at the move.
Big news everyone, they've opened the M3 J2-3 up to national speed limit!! Yaaaaaa 🏎💨💨
— Lilly (@LillyAbbott96) August 1, 2017
M3 being national speed limit again is the best thing that will happen to me today
— Emilyx3 (@xEmilyRawrx) August 1, 2017
The 50 speed limit on the M3 has finally, finally been removed. I feel a bit emotional.
— Sean Leahy (@seanrleahy) August 1, 2017
Highways England says 'smart motorway technology' will make the section of the road between Farnborough and the M25 less susceptible to disruption.
Regarding the project, Highways England project manager Pranev Devale said: "“Smart motorways add vital extra capacity, improve journey times and maintain high levels of safety.
"Drivers will also see better information about conditions on the road ahead and enjoy smoother journeys on the fully resurfaced road – as well as the smart motorway upgrade, we have also been carrying out the most extensive maintenance on the M3 since it was first built in 1971 in parallel with the smart motorway works."
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