Auckland's Northwest commuters will benefit from safer journeys this holiday season when the NZ Transport Agency opens a new roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 16 and Brigham Creek Road on Monday 13 December.
As part of the SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project, the roundabout will smooth traffic flow for drivers joining the highway from Brigham Creek Road. Currently, drivers have to turn directly onto the highway where traffic travels at 80 kmh.
Motorists should take care and drive with caution through the new roundabout. A 50 kmh speed limit will be in place. Some minor delays are expected as motorists adjust to the new layout. On-road signs will indicate the correct lane for their destination.
After opening, crews will build the final connections between the roundabout and surrounding roads over the next three months. When the new motorway is completed in 2012, the roundabout will serve as an entry point for Kumeu and Helensville communities onto the three kilometres, four-lane extension of the Northwestern Motorway [SH16].
The $220m project also includes the six-kilometre, four-lane SH18 Hobsonville Deviation motorway that will replace SH18 along Hobsonville Road. The project is the last section of the new SH18 to be completed and forms the northern link in the Western Ring Route that will give drivers a an alternative link to SH1 when it is completed.
The NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker, says the SH16 extension roundabout is the first roundabout to open on SH16 as part of plans by the NZTA to improve driver safety and help reduce crashes in the area. Another roundabout to smooth traffic flow is under construction at the intersection of SH16 and Taupaki Road and is scheduled to open next February.
“The NZTA’s goal for SH16 is to improve the safety and resilience of the highway as a key regional route for motorists, holidaymakers and the freight industry, which use it to access Auckland’s port in the central city,” Mr Parker says. .
The NZTA thanks motorists for their patience and co-operation while construction continues. In the event of wet weather, the opening will be postponed to a later date.
For more information on the SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project, phone 0800 520 202 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/hobsonville(external link).
View new roundabout layout map (PDF, 272KB).
