The NZ Transport Agency is planning a series of highway improvements, including ramp signalling, to ease congestion on the Southern Motorway where SH1 and the Southwestern Motorway merge at Manukau City.
The NZ Transport Agency is planning a series of highway improvements, including ramp signalling, to ease congestion on the Southern Motorway where SH1 and the Southwestern Motorway merge at Manukau City.
“We regret any travel delays people may have experienced, particularly during the afternoon peak,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker. “However, new sections of motorways traditionally have a settling down period when they open as drivers adjust to new conditions.”
The NZTA has a number of back-up measures which it is implementing, including the installation of ramp signals to operate at peak times where the Southwestern merges with the Southern Motorway. The signals will be installed within three months. A new series of road markings and signage on SH1 in the vicinity of Redoubt Road will be completed before the end of October.
“These measures will ease the bottleneck where the two motorways connect and significantly improve driving conditions, especially at those times of the day when volumes are heavy throughout the Auckland network,” says Mr Parker.
The NZTA is opening the motorway connection in stages before Christmas.
“We’re doing this to ensure that drivers get the benefit from this new piece of infrastructure as quickly as possible, although there’s still work to be done to complete the project,” says Mr Parker. “We certainly appreciate the widespread support it’s getting from drivers, and we ask for their patience as we implement these changes.”
The SH1/20 motorway connection marks the southern end of the Western Ring Route, a road of national significance. When completed, it will provide a 48 kilometre-long alternative around Auckland providing improved links to Auckland International Airport and easing pressure on SH1 through central Auckland.
