There are changes ahead for motorists using State Highway 20A in Mangere as work to build a new trench that will eventually become the motorway heads under Kirkbride Road.
Citybound lanes will change position from Sunday 17 July (weather dependent) until the middle of next year to create space for the construction team to continue digging and building the trench under the Kirkbride Road intersection.
“These traffic changes will make the trench more visible to motorists travelling to and from the airport as north and southbound traffic will be split so the trench can be dug through the middle,” says Brett Gliddon, the Transport Agency’s Auckland Highway Manager.
Construction of the new citybound on and off ramps is complete and these ramps will now be used temporarily as the citybound traffic lanes. Southbound traffic heading to the airport will stay on the current alignment.
“Motorists using SH20A to get to the airport should factor in an extra five minutes for their journeys, drive with care and follow the signs to guide them through the different intersection layout,” says Mr Gliddon.
“This project which is separating motorway traffic from local traffic at the Kirkbride intersection will reduce the high number of crashes, make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and make journey times to and from the airport more reliable.”
The new temporary intersection layout will involve some turning changes including no right turn into Kirkbride Road when heading to the city from the airport.
Temporary changes to intersection layout
Current turning restrictions that will remain
The 580 metre long trench that will carry SH20A is one of four transport programmes being accelerated by the Government to help manage the projected growth in population, employment and freight in Auckland.
The route will Increase freight efficiency through South Auckland as well as create new facilities on local roads for walkers and cyclists, a fully segregated shared path alongside SH20A and the provision for future bus shoulders on the state highway.
Construction is due to be completed in 2017.
For more information about the project: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh20a-to-airport/index.html(external link)
