The NZ Transport Agency says two lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be closed for routine resurfacing work over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
The two southbound clip-on lanes, as well as the Shelly Beach Road off-ramp, will close from 5am, Sunday, 26 December 2010, until Thursday, 6 January 2011. Three lanes northbound and three lanes southbound will remain open on the bridge throughout the work.
The Cook Street southbound off-ramp will also be closed during this time so that work can take place to install a stormwater crossing as part of the Victoria Park Tunnel project.
The NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland Tommy Parker says the resurfacing has been co-ordinated with vital services work on the Victoria Park Tunnel project, to take advantage of lighter traffic flows during the holidays.
“This year we will have two teams working on the resurfacing of the lanes and on installing services at Cook Street. We’re aiming to get all this work done together in the southbound direction to minimise inconvenience to motorists and local residents,” he says.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is one of the busiest sections of motorway in Auckland, with the average vehicle crossing count at 154,000 and sometimes reaching 200,000 vehicles crossing it everyday. Resurfacing involves removing the existing materials, cleaning the deck plate and then laying a new surface. The work is part of ongoing maintenance work that takes place throughout the year, to look after the harbour bridge and keep it in good condition.
Delays are possible heading into the central city. People should follow the signposted detour and exit at the Fanshawe Street off-ramp. This will be the only southbound exit to the CBD that is open.
Mr Parker says people should leave extra time for their journeys going into the central city, and consider using buses or ferries.
All lanes on the bridge should be fully opened before most people return from their holiday break.
Wet weather or other unforeseen circumstances may postpone the work. For more information, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/ahb(external link) or www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/victoria-park-tunnel(external link)
