The NZ Transport Agency is aiming to start construction next year on improvements to sections of Auckland's Southern and Northern Motorways [State Highway 1] to ease congestion and provide better travel times.
Planned improvements to the Southern Motorway include constructing additional lanes from Manukau to Papakura, and upgrading the Takanini interchange. On the North Shore, The NZTA will complete the motorway link between the Western Ring Route and the Northern Motorway at Constellation Drive, and construct a third northbound lane on State Highway 1 between Constellation Drive and Greville Road.
The two projects are linked to the development of the Western Ring Route, one of the Government’s roads of national significance, which is under construction as a motorway alternative to State Highway 1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, says the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland, Stephen Town.
“Together, they will help to unlock the full benefit of the Western Ring Route in terms of reducing congestion, improving travel time, and contributing to the economic growth of the city,” says Mr Town.
Mr Town says the NZTA hopes it can start the Southern Motorway improvements in mid-2011 and those on the Northern Motorway late next year after the Rugby World Cup. He says that funding for both projects still need to be approved, and their development has to be balanced within the NZTA’s national State Highway plan.
Mr Town says the NZTA will work with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to deliver the two projects. It presented an outline of its proposals to the Council’s transport committee today. .
“Both the Western Ring Route and State Highway 1 will strengthen Auckland’s transport network and make sure it keeps pace with the growth of the city,” he says.
The Southern Motorway Improvements will be constructed in four stages over an anticipated 10 year period:
Stage 1: Hill Road to Takanini, additional lane
Stage 2: Takanini to Papakura, additional lane
Stage 3: Takanini interchange improvement
Stage 4: Southwestern Motorway to Hill Road, additional fourth lane
The first of the Northern Motorway improvements will be construction of the Constellation-to-Greville third lane northbound.
