The NZ Transport Agency advises that Plunket Avenue will be temporarily closed between Keith Hay Drive and Falcon Avenue for five weeks from Saturday 12 June. It will reopen on or before Sunday 18 July.
The closure is part of ongoing construction of the SH20-1 Manukau Extension project as part of the Western Ring Route.
It will enable work to take place to complete the Plunket Avenue Bridge and the new motorway lanes underneath it. Services will also be relocated and the road pavement constructed across the length of the bridge.
NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker, acknowledges the inconvenience that the closure may cause, but says the Plunket Avenue Bridge is an important last structure of the project to be completed,
“It’s also essential that the area is kept safe during construction right next to the busy road, so we’re asking motorists to follow the signposted detour via Lambie Drive, and use it with care and patience. The work will be a significant step towards completion of the new motorway later this year which will benefit the people of Manukau and provide a vital connection between SH1 at Manukau and Auckland International Airport.”
Foundation piles up to 48 metres deep have been installed and good progress has been made with construction of the new bridge deck, barriers and bridge approaches.
When completed, the 205m long bridge will carry two lanes of traffic over SH20 and maintain connections with local Manukau roads.
The $210M Manukau Extension motorway project is in its final year of construction and is scheduled to be opened progressively later this year. The new 4.5 kilometre-long extension will have two lanes in each direction and connect the Southern and Southwestern Motorways. It will also help ease congestion on local roads within the Manukau City Centre area, such as Wiri Station Road and Great South Road.
The motorway will form the southern end of the Western Ring Route – a 48 kilometre alternative to SH1 between Manukau and Albany via SH20, SH16 and SH18. Projects at Manukau Harbour, Mt Roskill and Waterview form the remainder of the SH20 link.
The NZ Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and co-operation while construction takes place.
For more information, phone 0800 SH20-2-1 (0800 742 021) or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/manukauextension(external link)
