Auckland Regional Office

24 February 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

New stretch of state highway opened in central Auckland

A new stretch of state highway in Grafton Gully opened to traffic early today, allowing direct access to Stanley Street from the Southern and Northwestern motorways.

Replacing the old Grafton Road off-ramp, the new 700 metre stretch of state highway moves traffic from the motorway onto a brand-new stretch of road that ends at the new signalised intersection at Alten Road and Stanley Street.
Transit New Zealand Regional Manager Wayne McDonald says that the switch from the old off-ramp to the new layout was carried out in stages over the weekend with as little disruption to traffic as possible.

Motorists exiting either motorway at Grafton Road now travel under what will be the new Wellesley Street Bridge (currently under construction) and the new Grafton Road Bridge into Stanley Street where the motorway ends at a new signalised intersection at Alten Road and Stanley Street.

The opening of the new alignment is an indication of how quickly one of Auckland’s key roading projects is nearing completion, and follows on from another key aspect of the project - the moving of the 1900 tonne new Tranz Rail Bridge on the corner of Stanley Street/Beach Road/The Strand - which was successfully moved into place over Auckland Anniversary weekend in late January.

The opening of the new stretch of state highway has meant considerable changes for motorists throughout the Gully area, with some routes changing considerably.

Mr McDonald says motorists should follow directional signs, which have been placed at various locations throughout Grafton Gully, as well as advertisements in the New Zealand and local newspapers.

He says until the Wellesley Bridge on and off-ramps are completed later in the year, access to the area will be somewhat limited, and motorists are asked to take note of alternative routes.

“Once other elements of the project are in place and connected to the Grafton Gully network, the full benefits of the new layout will be revealed. However, until then, Transit fully appreciates the co-operation we’re getting from Auckland motorists.”

The opening of the new stretch of state highway comes shortly before the start of the academic year, which traditionally puts extra pressure on the Grafton Gully/Symonds Street area. Transit advises that there will be some unavoidable delays, but assures motorists that traffic management measures will be fine-tuned to minimise delays in the area.

Where possible, motorists are advised to avoid Symonds Street and use alternative motorway exits such as Newton Road, Khyber Pass and Wellesley Street.

Upcoming project milestones which will help complete this important project include the removal of the dogleg intersection that connects Stanley Street, Beach Road, Parnell Rise and The Strand, and the creation of a new link from Wellesley Street to Grafton Road.

When completed, the Grafton Gully project will play an important role in reducing congestion and improving the central motorway network in Auckland. It will provide an effective link from the motorway to the port and the lower central business district while also separating local traffic from motorway traffic.

Additional information about the changed layout and the Grafton Gully Project in general is available from the project information centre on the corner of Stanley Street and Alten Road or by phoning 0800 ToFreeflow (0800 863 733).

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www.transit.govt.nz

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
THE NEW LAYOUT IN GRAFTON GULLY

New signalised intersection

A major change of the new alignment is a new signalised intersection at Alten Road/Stanley Street. This intersection has reopened the left and right turn from Alten Road into Stanley Street, and also allows straight-ahead access from Alten Road to Nicholls Lane, a move previously not possible. The new intersection has also eliminated the diversion through Churchill Street, which has reverted to being closed to through traffic.
Motorway traffic can turn left or go straight ahead down Stanley Street at the Alten Rd intersection. There is no direct motorway access to Nicholls Lane or right up Stanley Street (towards the motorway and Grafton Road).

Stanley Street

Stanley Street is closed to downhill traffic between Lower Domain Drive and Nicholls Lane. Properties on Stanley Street are only accessible from their side of the road, i.e. there is no right turn access along Stanley Street after Lower Domain Drive.

Grafton Road

Traffic wishing to access Lower Domain Drive from Stanley Street may still do so by coming from the Grafton Road Bridge. Traffic wishing to travel from Grafton Road beyond Lower Domain Drive will no longer be able to do so due to the closed downhill stretch of Stanley Street. Traffic from the hospital will still be access Symonds Street via the Grafton Road Bridge.

Lower Domain Drive

There is no right-turn from lower Domain Drive into Stanley Street.

Suggested routes until the completion of the final layout:
-To get from the motorway to the hospital or Lower Domain Drive:
Turn left at the Alten Road intersection and use Symonds Street and Grafton Road or use alternative motorway exits.
-To get from the motorway to the university and Symonds Street:
Turn left at the Alten Road intersection or use alternative motorway exits.
-Accessing Stanley Street between Nicholls Lane and Lower Domain Drive from the motorway:
Turn left at Alten Road then turn right into Anzac Avenue and use Beach Road to access Stanley Street.
-To access Stanley Street/Beach Road from Lower Domain Drive:
Drive via Grafton Road, Symonds Street and then Alten Road.

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