Let's not sugar coat the M3 Smart Motorway...

It may be finally finished but since the £174 million scheme was announced in early 2015, the roadworks have been the cause of commuter nightmare across Surrey and into Hampshire.

After putting up with diversion routes, lane closures and queuing traffic for more than two years, the major resurfacing scheme was officially opened on Tuesday (August 1).

To remind all the motorists out there how much blood, sweat and tears were endured from start to finish, Get Surrey has made a timeline to record events of the bitter sweet M3 Smart Motorway.

Time Line

M3 smart motorway timeline: From start to finish

  1. February 18 2015

    According to Highways England this is the date resurfacing work officially began

  2. April 2016

    Woodlands Lane residents notified of plans to demolish and replace a bridge over the M3, causing fears of being cut off from the village

  3. April 2016

    M3 is partially flooded after a water main bursts in Camberley which also cut off water supply to a housing estate

  4. May 2016

    Woodlands Lane bridge is closed ahead of its demolition which was initially planned for June but was delayed until September

  5. May 2016

    Heatherside Park residents complain that roadworks are making their houses shake, with some describing it as a "mini earthquake".

  6. June 2016

    MPs call for halt on smart motorway works over safety concerns

  7. August 2016

    Roadworks were lifted over the bank holiday weekend to allow a "smoother" journey for travellers

  8. September 2016

    Highways England say Woodlands Lane bridge won't be demolished until autumn

  9. November 19 2016

    Demolition of Woodlands Lane bridge begins with the replacement bridge expected to open in winter 2017

  10. December 2016

    Windlesham pram race team dress up as road workers to mock the continually delayed M3 works

  11. February 2017

    Two years later, a four month count down to the end of the dreaded scheme begins

  12. February 2017

    Night closures cause huge queues along the A30 as frustration over road works continues

  13. May 2017

    As work on Woodlands Lane bridge continues, drivers are reportedly getting "stressed out" due to weekend closures

  14. May 2017

    Reports of rapid progress on new Woodlands Lane bridge

  15. May 2017

    Motorists travelling during May bank holiday experienced "severe" overnight delays due to bridge and road repairs

  16. June 2 2017

    Highways England confirm that main roadworks are "on schedule" and entering the "final phase" ahead of its completion at the end of the month

  17. June 8 2017

    A collision involving several vehicles in smart motorway roadworks causes huge rush-hour delays

  18. June 26 2017

    A man's body, later identified as Clive Hatto, was discovered in the smart motorway roadworks

  19. July 2017

    Highways England admit that roadworks could "continue for a short period" after main construction finishes at the end of June

  20. July 2017

    The first emergency "refuge" area was trialled along the M3, near Camberley

  21. August 1, 2017

    M3 smart motorway was FINALLY opened and Highways England release some stats behind the scheme

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