JUNCTION 16's multi-million pound upgrade is finally complete.

The roundabout has undergone massive remodelling over the past 17 months to ensure that it can cope with higher levels of traffic.

The extensive list of improvements includes a new dedicated right turn from Royal Wootton Bassett towards Wroughton, extra lanes on approach roads, wider motorway slip roads, improved drainage, and new traffic signals and street lights.

The project was a truly gargantuan effort.

A total of 200,000 man hours were spent on it, with 15,000 tonnes of tarmac, 25,000 tonnes of sub-base materials and 100,000 tonnes of imported clay used to create the extra capacity on the junction.

And while the groundwork was laid for the new road surface, 1.5km of drainage pipes were installed along with 140 gullies, 6km of street lighting cabling and 38km of traffic signal cabling.

The scheme was funded by Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Wichelstowe Joint Venture.

It was delivered by Swindon Borough Council in partnership with Highways England and Wiltshire Council.

The motorway junction redesign was a requirement of the outline planning permission for the major housing development at nearby Wichelstowe and needed to be complete before the 1,100th property on the site is occupied.

Coun Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “Tens of thousands of motorists use Junction 16 every day and we know our plans for growth, coupled with our hugely successful economy, will mean more vehicles on our roads in the years to come.

“These major improvements will ensure we have extra capacity to help keep Swindon and Wiltshire moving in the future, benefitting both residents and local businesses.

“To keep Junction 16 open to vehicles while making such significant improvements was no mean feat and I am extremely pleased we have been able to complete the work on schedule.”

Contractors will monitor the junction over the next few weeks to ensure it is operating as expected. Motorists unfamiliar with the new layout are advised to take extra care when using it for the first time.

Adam Schallamach, Chair of SWLEP’s Transport Sub-group, said: “Enabling a well-connected, reliable and resilient transport system to support economic and planned development growth is one of the investment priorities for the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP).

“We invested £5.9m in this scheme which will deliver the Wichelstowe development, create 31 jobs and ensure that the economic growth of Swindon is not hindered by traffic congestion and unreliable journey times.”

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways, said: “Wiltshire is on the map as a great place to live and an exciting place to do business.

"It is important we keep ahead of the game to ensure residents and the local economy are supported by the right infrastructure.

“The improvements carried out at this key gateway to the county will go some way to help us achieve this.”

Around 5,000 vehicles use the junction every hour at peak times in the morning and evening, and this is expected to rise by more than 50 per cent in the next few years.