The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists travelling to Auckland Airport on State Highway 20A that work is about to start on changes to the layout of the Landing Drive roundabout.
The Landing Drive Roundabout with initial changes, including the reduced roundabout overlaid.
The changes are to improve safety, traffic flows and journey reliability, says the Transport Agency’s Senior Manager Project Delivery, Chris Hunt.
Landing Drive is the first roundabout on SH20A (also known as George Bolt Memorial Drive) after the Kirkbride Road underpass for traffic coming from the city.
The Landing Drive roundabout will be transformed into an eight lane intersection controlled by traffic lights. The change is necessary because the heavy traffic flows to and from the airport mean the roundabout does not function efficiently.
The first changes will be made on Saturday, 3 March when the size of the roundabout is reduced.
“There will be no reduction in the number of lanes, but some lanes may change alignment to accommodate the smaller roundabout,” says Mr Hunt.
The transformation from roundabout to intersection is expected to take several months.
The Transport Agency asks drivers to be patient, obey the traffic lights and allow extra time for their journey.
“Layout changes will be ongoing to enable the team to create safe work areas, so the Transport Agency urges drivers to approach the area with caution and to be prepared for changes from the last time you visited the airport,” says Mr Hunt.
When completed the intersection will have 8 lanes for north and south-bound traffic flow with dedicated left and right turn lanes. Landing Drive and Verissimo Drive will also have dedicated turning and straight through lanes. This will improve the flow of traffic entering and exiting the industrial areas.
The upgrade of the Landing Drive roundabout is part of ongoing improvements to SH20A, which is the primary route to and from Auckland Airport and forms a strategic link between SH20 and SH16, the Airport business district and the greater Auckland area. Other improvements include the upgraded Kirkbride intersection, with its trench underpass separating local and airport traffic.
The new Landing Drive intersection layout, when finished, will have 8 lanes for north and south bound traffic flow.
