MEDIA RELEASE

5 October 2009

SH16 Northwestern Motorway improvements –community information days

Over 180 members of the public have attended recent information days held by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) regarding planned improvements to Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16).

The final information day will be held this Saturday 10 October at the Te Atatu South Community Centre, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatu. People are welcome to drop in anytime between 11am and 3pm with NZTA representatives on hand to answer any questions people may have about the planned project.

The project, which helps complete a Western Ring Route for Auckland, involves staged works from St Lukes Road to Westgate. The works will add an extra lane in each direction, with a further lane westbound between Great North Road and Rosebank Road, improve motorway shoulders for buses, raise the causeway and widen and extend the cycleway.

“The project will help traffic flow, improve safety and allow this important link to function better. We encourage local residents to come along to the final open day to meet the project team and view the planned improvements,” said NZTA Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Wayne McDonald.

Some reclamation for the widening will be required from Great North Road to Rosebank Peninsula, and on the seaward side of Rosebank Peninsula from Rosebank Road off-ramp to the Whau River.

Timing of construction will depend on the statutory approvals process, which is likely to take all of 2010. Construction will be coordinated with other works to complete the Western Ring Route.

Completing the Western Ring Route has been identified by Government as one of seven Roads of National Significance that support regional and national economic growth.

ENDS