Transit Investigating Two Route Options For Sh20 Avondale Extension

Transit New Zealand is continuing investigations into the extension of SH20 through Avondale to join to the Northwestern Motorway as part of the strategic Western Ring Route.

When completed, the Western Ring Route – connecting the Southern Motorway at Manukau City along SH20 to the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) and the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) – will provide traffic an alternative that bypasses Auckland City and the Harbour Bridge.

Following further investigation, Transit has now revised the option shortlist for the SH20 Avondale extension project to two routes options, route AR1 and route AW1. Alignment options with these two routes are currently being studied in further detail and evaluated according to technical, environmental and economic criteria. A preferred option will be identified in October this year.

A technical option ranking paper, outlining this assessment process and the revision to the shortlist of routes is available on request from Transit via the project website or a study team member.

In the meantime, the current intensive phase of consultation for the project will continue. This consultation includes focus groups aimed at addressing specific issues and assisting with detailed environmental investigation. ‘Drop-in’ centres are held at Avondale Community Centre, on the third Saturday of each month, with the next drop-in centre scheduled for Saturday 17 May 2003.