And now with pictures!
This is what the start of the M27 at its eastern end used to look like. This view taken June 2012. These columns are 18m tall.
As mentioned yesterday, the ZX4s are being replaced, it now looks like this:
In the background there are some columns mounted to the flyover which crosses Portsbridge roundabout. These are being removed in favour of new columns planted in the embankment abutments - some aluminium columns have already been installed. However the latest replacements are mounted in the ground on the roundabout underneath. This requires very tall columns - the ZX4 columns at this point are 15m and it requires probably another 6-7m to get down to the ground level below. This probably explains why they are hex section steel columns - the headless ones in this zoomed view.
Close up of bracket, extension/packing section (see earlier posts for the reason) and Lumas.
Meanwhile at the western end of the M27 at J4..
A few weeks ago the ZX4s were replaced on the M27 west to M3 north link with Lumas. This week the M27 east to M3 north link has been done at the diverge point from the main M27 eastbound carriageway. This has seen not only the ZX4s be replaced but also some the SON Sapphires that were installed at the end of 2008 as part of the widening approaching this junction from the west.
New steel columns are also in place in embankments so that some of the bridge mounted columns can be removed.