Victoria Park Viaduct gets energy-efficient upgrade

The Victoria Park Viaduct will get an energy-efficient boost this summer when the NZ Transport Age installs new state-of-the-art LED luminaires as part of an upgrade project.

During overnight closures of the viaduct starting on 5 January 2015, the Transport Agency’s Auckland Motorway Alliance (AMA) will replace 50 old High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights with the LED luminaires. The cleaner, white light provided by LED luminaires contributes to better driver safety by improving visibility.

The Transport Agency’s Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the upgrade signals the way forward for future Transport Agency projects.

“LED lights have reduced maintenance costs and require less power. They also have the added benefit of reducing the light spill onto surrounding streets and require fewer closures for maintenance meaning less disruption for road users.

“As the technology for LEDs continues to improve, the Transport Agency now considers LED lights to be the preferred option for all new motorway projects,” says Mr Gliddon.

At the same time, the pipe rail barriers along the edges of the viaduct will be replaced with 1.5km of new steel curved guardrails as part of a safety upgrade.

Crews will start work at the northern end of the viaduct and finish at the southern end, to reduce disturbance to local residents. A range of management measures will be in place to minimise the noise effects on nearby businesses and residents.

The AMA will keep the local community informed about progress through letter drops, email updates and a project website at www.nzta.govt.nz/vpv. They can also call the AMA on 09 5200 200 or email their query to vpv@nzta.govt.nz.

The viaduct will be closed to all southbound traffic five nights a week during the upgrade. The closures will be from 10pm to 5am every night, excluding Friday and Saturday, from 5 January to 18 March. The Cook Street off-ramp and the southbound Port/SH16 link will also be closed. There will be a signposted detour along Fanshawe Street and Hobson Street and drivers can rejoin either SH1 or SH16 at the Hobson Street on-ramp.

All the work on the viaduct, particularly installing the LED luminaires, is weather dependent.

Motorists can check traffic conditions online before they travel at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.

The overnight motorway closures to facilitate this work are part of the Summer Season Journeys campaign being delivered by the Transport Agency. For more information about motorway work happening this summer please visit www.nzta.govt.nz/summerseason or call 09 969 9800.

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