There will be significant changes to the two lanes on the Victoria Park flyover after Christmas, and the NZ Transport Agency is asking drivers to be alert to the new driving conditions on this busy section of Auckland's motorway network.
From Tuesday, 27 December, one of the flyover's two southbound lanes will be diverted on to a lane previously used by northbound traffic. Drivers will need to be in the correct lane for travel to the CBD and Port, and for travel to destinations further south on the motorway. The change is necessary to complete work to convert all four lanes on the flyover for southbound traffic.
Northbound traffic that previously used the flyover is now using the new Victoria Park Tunnel.
The NZTA is taking advantage of lower traffic volumes during the Christmas break to change the flyover lanes on 27 December, says the NZTA's State Highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker.
"We are endeavouring to keep any disruption to drivers to a minimum. There will be changes to the layout of the southbound lanes and we are asking drivers using the flyover to take extra care and be alert," Mr Parker says.
All four lanes on the flyover will be open permanently to southbound traffic on State Highway 1 from Monday, 9 January.
Work on the flyover is one part of extensive programme of holiday works to complete the Victoria Park Tunnel project.
Full and partial motorway closures are scheduled for a number of nights leading to 9 January to allow final paving, lane marking and the installation of new signs. These will affect both northbound and southbound traffic.
Work is also scheduled over the holiday period for local streets including Victoria Street West, lower Franklin Road, Union Street and Beaumont Street.
"Whether people are returning before or after New Year, they will encounter changes," says Mr Parker.
The Victoria Park Tunnel is one of the Government's seven roads of national significance. When it is finally completed in March, it will help ease congestion, make journey times more reliable, and improve safety through Auckland's central motorway junction in Auckland.
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