The NZ Transport Agency and HEB Construction are holding a charity motorway walk on Sunday 21 February for the public to preview the new SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project.
The NZ Transport Agency and HEB Construction are holding a charity motorway walk on Sunday 21 February for the public to preview the new SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project. People will be able to walk or cycle a six kilometre-long section of the route under construction.
Date: Sunday 21 February 2010
Time: Cyclists only (mountain bikes) 9am -10am, walkers 10am - 3pm
Location: New motorway lanes of SH18 Hobsonville Deviation
Entrance/parking: Enter from Hobsonville Road via Sinton Road, Hobsonville
Transport: Free buses to pick up and drop off along the route
Cost: $5 for adults, gold coin for children under 12. Cash only (no EFTPOS available)
The Rotary clubs of Waitakere will be collecting an entry fee to fundraise for two charities: a new heart defibrillator (emergency device) for the recently opened St John Ambulance station in Whenuapai and a new training vehicle for the NZ Fire Service in Waitakere.
The NZ Transport Agency's State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland Tommy Parker, says the charity walk is an opportunity to thank people for their co-operation while the motorway is being built, "We realise that local residents are continuing to be patient during the disruption of construction in the area and this charity walk gives them a chance to see the progress on the new motorway first hand," he says.
The walking route spans six kilometres of the new motorway from Clarks Lane footbridge to Brigham Creek Road roundabout with SH16, with stops at several points along the way. The NZTA advises walkers to wear sensible footwear as the route may be uneven in some sections and cyclists should only use mountain bikes to cycle the route. A wristband will be given on entry and includes a free bus ride back to the start of the route.
Food and drink will be available to purchase on the day at stalls run by local primary schools. Entertainment includes a Police helicopter static display, NZ Fire Service safety demonstrations as well as excavator demonstrations showing how the earthworks are done. A main marquee at the Trig Road site office will also feature Waitakere City development displays and information.
The six kilometre, four-lane Hobsonville motorway is the last section of the new SH18 to be completed. It will connect to the Upper Harbour Bridges and Greenhithe motorway at the eastern end and the Northwestern Motorway at the western end.
The $220M project also includes a three kilometre extension of the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road. The project will provide a better connection between Waitakere and North Shore cities and Rodney District and complete the key northern link of the Western Ring Route. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/upperharbourmotorway(external link) or www.walkwest.co.nz(external link) or call 0800 520 202.
Note to editors: see attached map of the route:
