Kent's M2 celebrates 50th anniversary

Date: 30/5/2013

The M2 motorway in Kent celebrated a milestone yesterday (May 29th), with the day marking exactly 50 years since the road was opened to motorists.

As Kent Online reports, the M2 was constructed in a bid to clear congestion in nearby Medway towns, with around 75,000 vehicles now using the road on a daily basis to make journeys to and from Dover.

While the motorway initially comprised two lanes - as well as a hard shoulder - in each direction, some sections have since been widened to four.

Jon Griffiths, Highways Agency Regional Director for the South East, explained that substantial efforts have been focused on ensuring the M2 remains fit for purpose and capable of coping with the number of vehicles which use it.

"Maintaining safe and reliable journeys is key for us and over the years a lot of work has gone into this key 25-mile road, including widening projects and routine maintenance such as bridge joint replacement carried out last year on the Stockbury viaduct," he said.

The M2 road is said to be the only one in England that doesn't meet any other motorways at a junction.

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd