This Thursday marks the start of a number of changes that will affect drivers using the Lincoln Road interchange on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16).
The first change – on Thursday - will see eastbound (city) drivers on the motorway moved onto the newly constructed Lincoln Creek Bridge adjacent to the Lincoln Road eastbound off-ramp. The change will allow the old bridge to be demolished.
And at the end of March, the new eastbound on-ramp at the interchange will be opened. Drivers heading into the city using the interchange will have safer and easier access onto the Northwestern. The NZ Transport Agency, however, advises drivers that this new access will be under a temporary layout until the reconstruction of the Henderson Creek Bridge on the motorway is completed in a year’s time.
“Reconstructing the Lincoln Road interchange is a complex project, and although there will be a temporary layout in operation we are committed to delivering benefits of the upgrade to people as quickly as we can,” says the Transport Agency’s Highway Manager, Tommy Parker.
The changes in April affect drivers heading west on the motorway. They will be moved onto the westbound lanes of the new Henderson Creek Bridge to allow contractors to demolish the last sections of the old bridge.
“We do ask that everyone takes a little more care out there, especially around the Lincoln Road works where the speed limit on the motorway has been lowered to keep both road users and our contractors safe,” says Mr Parker.
The Lincoln Road improvements are part of a suite of five projects to complete the Western Ring Route – Road of National Significance - prioritised by the Government to support growth and economic development in Auckland. The alternative motorway route to SH1 will improve connections between Manukau in the south, Auckland International Airport, Waitakere and the North Shore, and improve regional connections north and south of the city.
“We know that drivers may experience additional delays as work on the other projects progress. The changes at Lincoln will mean our team can get in there and complete this project safely with the least amount of disruption to all drivers,” says Mr Parker.
The Transport Agency reminds drivers that there is a 70kph limit driving through the Lincoln Road works and 80kph through the rest of the works along the Western Ring Route.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Auckland/Northland Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T: 09 928 8720
M: 027 213 7616
E: ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
