The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), in partnership with its Newmarket Connection project delivery team NGA Newmarket, is hosting a Community Open Day this Sunday (May 16) on Mahuru Street, Newmarket.
The event will provide all Aucklanders with a detailed insight into how one of the most complex bridge replacement projects ever undertaken anywhere in the world is being safely delivered above Newmarket – while keeping the motorway open at all times. There will also be a unique opportunity to sign your name inside one of the last remaining bridge segments which will complete the new southbound viaduct.
“Thanks to the skill of our project team and their use of the ‘big blue’ gantry, the progress made on Stage 1 of the Newmarket Connection project has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Tommy Parker, NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland. “The structural form of the new southbound viaduct is now almost complete, and we anticipate being able to transfer traffic across on to it by as early as October of this year. This will then allow us to increase southbound capacity to four lanes across it and as far as Greenlane by February 2011.”
Beyond celebrating progress and answering the oft-muttered question “what does that big blue thing do?” the Newmarket Connection Community Day promises to be an event for the whole family – even those not fascinated by concrete and steel. A street market will be running from 9am, and the live entertainment will include a special free concert ‘at the bridge’ by Auckland band The Earlybirds at 1pm.
The Newmarket Connection project’s extensive scope and the manner in which it is being delivered has been positively acknowledged by the local community.
“NZTA is not just delivering this massive and complicated project with speed and precision, but they are involving the community in every step along the way,” comments Cameron Brewer, Chief Executive of the Newmarket Business Association.
“The urban design initiatives associated with the project will benefit the local community long into the future. Sunday's community day, along with the Auckland City Council's official opening of the redeveloped Lumsden Green and Osborne Street in the afternoon, shows just how much positive development is happening in Newmarket. We warmly encourage all Aucklanders to come and check out Newmarket on Sunday via our fabulous new train station.”
High definition footage of recent progress on the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement Project is available on YouTube. Click here to watch the latest video or search “Newmarket Connection” for a range of project footage.
For more information on the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement project, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/newmarketconnection(external link) or call the freephone number: 0508 CONNECT (266 6328).
