Works to improve the Papakura interchange on Auckland's Southern Motorway (State Highway 1) is ahead of schedule and the NZ Transport Agency will open the new northbound on-ramp this Monday (8 October) earlier than expected.
“We had planned to have the on-ramp ready in November, but with our contractors’ making excellent progress it means good news for road users as we are now able to deliver this first stage of our improvements at Papakura early,” says the NZTA’s acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton.
The on-ramp will benefit drivers from Karaka and Hingaia, who will no longer need to turn right in front of on-coming traffic to join the Southern Motorway northbound.
The new on-ramp is the first part of a $35m project at the Papakura interchange. Additional improvements include upgrades to other on and off ramps at the interchange, construction of a three lane bridge adjacent to the existing one spanning the motorway, and traffic signals at key intersections.
Mr Mutton says that when the entire project is finished at the end of next year, there will be better and safer access to and from the Southern Motorway, while a new shared path for walkers and cyclists will make it safer to get across the interchange when the new three lane bridge is complete.
“The Hingaia Peninsula is a growth area for Auckland, and our work here at the interchange will help meet the future demands of a rapidly growing community,” Mr Mutton says.
Work on the Papakura Interchange upgrade started last March, and is scheduled to be finished by end of 2013. The project is being completed for the NZTA by HEB Construction, AECOM and Beca.
