The NZ Transport Agency plans to close the clip-on lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge for annual maintenance over the Christmas - New Year holiday period.
The two southbound clip-on lanes of the bridge will close early on Boxing Day for up to five days. The Shelly Beach Road off-ramp will also close.
The northbound clip-on lanes will close from 31 December for up to five days. During this time, the Curran Street on ramp to the motorway and the Stafford road off ramp will be closed.
Three lanes will be open in both directions across the bridge at all times during the clip-on closures. However, there may be delays and motorists are advised to consider using alternative forms of transport like buses and ferries to cross the harbour. Motorists may also consider avoiding the bridge and using the Western ring route (SH16 and SH18).
The main work during the closures will be to replace twenty eight light poles and luminaires on the clips-ons – fourteen on each side of the bridge. There will also be maintenance work on the road surfacing and steel coatings. Wet weather or other unforeseen circumstances may delay the work.
The Transport Agency’s System Manager, Wayne Oldfield says the Auckland Harbour Bridge is one of the busiest sections of motorway in Auckland, with about 180,000 vehicle movements on an average week day.
Maintenance and re-surfacing work is scheduled annually to take place during the Christmas holiday period when traffic volumes are lighter than at other times of the year. The work is part of the Transport Agency’s ongoing maintenance programme to ensure the harbour bridge is kept in a first class and safe condition.
“We’re expecting traffic to flow well in both directions and weather permitting, all lanes on the bridge will be open again before most people return from their Christmas break,” says Mr Oldfield.
The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and understanding while this essential work is carried out.
Motorists are advised to listen to regular radio updates on the lane closures. Also go to the Transport Agency’s travel pages www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link) or check Twitter and Facebook for regular updates on traffic delays, incidents and congestion hotspots.
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