Extensive delays on motorway network this weekend

Construction at two busy sections of Auckland’s motorway network – the Te Atatu interchange on the Northwestern and the Greville Road interchange on the Northern - will cause significant disruption this weekend (7-10 November) and people face long delays if they want to drive through either work site.

“We are expecting congestion to be severe at both locations and we’re asking people to help us by avoiding them if they can. Detour routes will be busy too, but they will allow motorist to avoid very slow moving queues of traffic where we are working,” says the NZ Transport Agency’s Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon.

At Te Atatu, there will be significant lane closures on the motorway and restricted access at the Te Atatu Interchange, so that the first section of the Te Atatu Road overbridge can be raised. At Greville Road, the interchange is being upgraded and converted to one controlled by traffic signals.

Mr Gliddon says that peak weekend traffic volumes at Te Atatu are around 1,700 vehicles per hour using the overbridge to and from Te Atatu Peninsula and about 4,500 per hour using the motorway underneath.

“It’s not possible to handle that volume of traffic during this weekend - there will significant delays. People can help us complete the work at Te Atatu as quickly as possible by staying off the roads, or using alternative routes. If they do have to use the interchange, they must give themselves a lot more time to drive through it – traffic will not be flowing freely.”
SH16 Te Atatu Road weekend restrictions:-

• Northwestern Motorway reduced to a single lane each way under the Te Atatu overbridge 5am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday 8/9 Nov
• Northwestern Motorway closed under the Te Atatu overbridge 10pm to 5am for three nights from Friday 7 Nov
• Te Atatu Rd reduced to a single lane each way on the Te Atatu overbridge from 10pm Friday 7 Nov until 5am Monday 10 Nov
• Te Atatu citybound loop onramp closed from 10pm Friday 7 Nov until 5am Monday 10 Nov
• Footpaths on the western side of the interchange closed and people directed to use the eastern side footpath
• The Northwestern cycleway will remain open

Mr Gliddon says the Te Atatu overbridge is being raised 600mm (almost 2 feet) and once all three bridge structures are lifted it will improve safety by increasing the clearance for motorway traffic underneath. This work is part of the Te Atatu Interchange Upgrade Project, one of six projects either completed or underway to link the Northwestern and Southwestern (SH20) motorways and provide a motorway alternative to SH1 known as the Western Ring Route.

At Greville Road, the weekend work is part Upper Harbour Highway to Greville Road Northbound 3 Laning Project. The closure - the second of two at the interchange - was postponed last month because of the weather and re-scheduled for November.

About 1600 vehicles an hour use the Greville Road off-ramp during the weekend’s busiest period between 10am and 2pm.

“It is important people plan their journeys, especially during the middle of the day when traffic is busiest,” Mr Gliddon says. “We appreciate the great support during the first closure last month and we want that to continue. For our part, we will do everything we can to minimise disruption but the weekend is the only suitable time when this necessary work can be done.”
SH1 Greville Road weekend restrictions:-

• Northbound traffic exiting the motorway at Greville Road will be diverted down Tawa Drive to access Rosedale Road, Bush Road and Albany Expressway.
• Northbound on-ramp at Greville Road will be closed.
• No access to Albany Expressway from Greville Road or the motorway off-ramp
• Southbound traffic exiting the motorway at Greville Road can only left turn.

Mr Gliddon says the work at Greville Road and at Te Atatu is part of a huge multi-million dollar upgrade of the city’s entire motorway network.

“We need to be ready to help manage Auckland’s rapid growth by making it easier for people and freight to move around – not just in Auckland itself but in our neighbouring regions to the north and south of the city. We do ask that people be patient this weekend and drive with care for their own safety and the safety of our contractors working on site,” says Mr Gliddon.

ENDS

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