Road users are being advised by the NZ Transport Agency that unusually high tides in the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours over the next week could flood parts of the Auckland motorway network. High tides of up to 3.6m are expected from Saturday, 19 March until Thursday, 24 March.
“The high tides do not pose a significant risk to the safe operation of Auckland’s motorway, but we do ask people to drive with care, particularly on those low-lying sections of highway near the harbours,” says Tommy Parker, the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland.
Mr Parker says the area most likely to be affected is the section of highway and cycleway on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) between the Patiki Road Interchange and Rosebank Road Bridges.
“The cycleway in this area will definitely be underwater when the tides peak, but we do not think the motorway will be affected unless high tide coincides with adverse weather conditions. We will, however, be monitoring the situation and plans are in place to re-route traffic if necessary,” Mr Parker says. “We’re advising cyclists to make sure they know when high tide occurs and to try and avoid using the cycleway 1.5 hours either side of high tide.”
The section of the Northwestern motorway that crosses the upper Waitemata Harbour will be widened and raised as part of the project to complete the Western Ring Route. It will prevent flooding in the future.
The unusually high tides will occur throughout the year on the following dates.
For more information on tide times, alternative routes or planned detours and closures please contact NZTA Auckland Motorways on 09 5200 200, email help@ama.nzta.govt.nz or visit www.aucklandmotorways.com(external link).
