The NZ Transport Agency advises Auckland drivers that overnight access on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) causeway will be restricted for the next five weeks because of necessary work connected with plans to widen and raise the causeway.
The first set of closures will start this Sunday (11 November), when the NZTA starts closing off some of the causeway lanes between 9pm and 5am.
While lanes are closed, the NZTA will conduct a series of geo-technical investigations at different locations between the Te Atatu and Great North Road interchanges.
The NZTA’s acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton, says drivers will need to take extra care and reduce speed.
‘We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and appreciate drivers’ support and patience as we gear up for what will be a very significant construction project to improve transport links in Auckland,’ Mr Mutton says.
The timetable for closures is:
Speed limits will be lowered to 70 km/ph through work areas. There will be no restrictions on Friday or Saturday night’s and all motorway ramps will remain operational.
The causeway upgrade is a 4.5 kilometre-long project between the Great North Road Interchange and the Te Atatu interchange. The existing six-lane causeway will be widened to provide additional lanes in both directions. The shoulder lanes for buses will be widened and extended, and there will be improvements to the pedestrian and cycleway beside the motorway. The causeway will also be raised to prevent flooding during extreme tidal conditions, and stormwater will be treated to a higher standard before it is discharged into the Waitemata Harbour.
The Causeway Upgrade Project is a key part of the Western Ring Route - one of the Government’s seven roads of national significance to help promote economic growth. Once completed, the Western Ring Route will provide a strategic alternative to SH1, central Auckland and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It will link with the Waterview Connection project and its new interchange at Great North Road - connecting SH16 with the Southwestern Motorway (SH20).
