There will be significant changes for drivers on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) when the NZ Transport Agency opens a section of its new westbound off-ramp at the Lincoln Road interchange next Tuesday (18 June)
Drivers should be aware entry to the off-ramp will begin earlier along the motorway. The new off-ramp is twice as long as the old one, reducing the risk of drivers queuing back on to the motorway and impacting on traffic travelling further west.
The NZTA says the new off-ramp is being partially opened now to create a safe working area for motorway widening works and off-ramp widening works towards the Selwood Road bridge. One lane opens on Tuesday, and the full off ramp will be opened in early 2014.
“We’re delighted to be able to deliver this benefit to drivers, but they need to be aware of the changes to the layout when leaving the motorway,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker.
The NZTA also reminds drivers that as work progresses on the Lincoln Road eastbound on-ramp, the T2 lane eastbound has been closed to create space for widening works to continue safely. Vehicles with two or more occupants will share the on-ramp with single occupancy vehicles until June next year. When the new eastbound on-ramp is completed, it will include a priority lane for high occupancy vehicles.
The Lincoln Road improvements are part of a suite of projects in the Western Ring Route – Road of National Significance, prioritised by the Government to support growth and economic development in Auckland. The alternative route to SH1 will improve connections between Manukau in the south, Auckland International Airport, Waitakere and the North Shore, and ease congestion on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the CBD.
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