Work to reconfigure the Victoria Park flyover on State Highway 1 in central Auckland is almost complete and the NZ Transport Agency says that it remains on track to open the flyover to four lanes of southbound traffic this Monday, 9 January.
The temporary layout on the flyover - two lanes are open, one of each side of the flyover's central barrier – will remain until this Sunday night. Drivers can use either of those two lanes for travel along the Southern Motorway for destinations south of Auckland's CBD and beyond, but those wanting access to the CBD, the port, and the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) can exit only from the left hand lane.
The NZTA's Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town, says both lanes will take drivers south, so there is no need for last-minute lane changes.
"Drivers, however, need to be aware that the current layout on the flyover will continue only until the end of this weekend," Mr Town says. "Monday morning's big change will be permanent: the two lanes to the left of the flyover's central barrier will be available only for those who want to go to the CBD and the port, or connect with the Northwestern; the two on the right of the barrier are to be used only by those wanting to travel further south."
"People will need to choose their correct lane early - before they cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge if possible. If they make the wrong choice, they will not be able to change lanes on the flyover because of the central barrier."
New overhead signs, starting north of the harbour bridge, will be in place to guide drivers into the correct lane for their destination.
The Vic Park flyover previously carried both southbound and northbound traffic. Northbound vehicles now use the recently opened Victoria Park Tunnel.
The Victoria Park Tunnel project is due to be completed in March. In addition to the tunnel and the reconfiguration of the flyover, SH1 through St Marys Bay is being widened to accommodate more traffic lanes, and the moveable lane barrier on the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be extended to Fanshawe Street to help manage traffic flows during the morning and afternoon peaks.
The project will be the first of the Government's seven roads of national significance to be completed. It will help ease congestion on one of the busiest sections of the Auckland motorway network, and provide safer and more reliable journey times for people and freight.
Drivers can view a video animation of the new flyover layout on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/aklsummerseason(external link),
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