MEDIA RELEASE - FLASH

29 January 2012

NZ Transport Agency – Auckland Regional Office

NZTA opens new motorway viaduct at Newmarket early

The northbound lanes of Auckland Southern Motorway (State Highway 1) have been re-opened by the NZ Transport Agency, 17 hours ahead of schedule and traffic is now able to use the new northbound Newmarket Viaduct.

The motorway was closed between the Market Road off-ramp and the Gillies Avenue on ramp at 5pm yesterday (Saturday 28 January) and was due to re-open at 8am tomorrow after the completion of necessary work to switch motorway traffic lanes on to the new viaduct.

The NZTA’s acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton, gave the green light to end the closure just before 3pm following a final safety inspection of the viaduct.

"Support from Auckland’s drivers during the closure was fantastic, and was a significant factor in allowing the NZTA and its partners on the Newmarket Viaduct replacement project to complete their work hours earlier than planned," he says.

Mr Mutton reminds drivers a 70kph speed restriction remains in operation on the viaduct, and they should take care as they get used to the new layout.
ning

ENDS