Chance for a say on additional Manukau Harbour Crossing

Consultation begins next week on Transit New Zealand’s proposal for an additional motorway bridge on State Highway 20 over the Manukau Harbour between Mangere Bridge and Onehunga.

Two information open days will be held: one at the Onehunga Community Centre on Monday 20 October, and the other at the Mangere Bridge School on Wednesday 22 October.

Regional Manager, Wayne McDonald, says input from the public is very important to the investigations underway. “Through the consultation, we aim to ensure that all factors affecting the proposed project are adequately considered.”

The Manukau Harbour Crossing is a key component of the Western Ring Route which, when completed, will link SH20 to the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) and the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) in the north and to SH1 at Manukau.

The Western Ring Route will allow traffic to bypass the existing motorway system through the central city area and across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

A study completed in 2002 concluded that an additional motorway bridge next to the existing bridge is the best option. Besides providing additional lanes, a shoulder lane in each direction could be used as a dedicated bus lane.

In addition to a new bridge, the motorway will be widened between the bridge and Queenstown Road and south to Walmsley Road. The Neilson Street interchange (also known as the Gloucester Park interchange) will be upgraded as well.

The old Mangere Bridge, which provides a valuable route for pedestrians and cyclists across the harbour, as well as access to fishing, will be replaced with a new cycle/pedestrian bridge.

People will be able to see and discuss plans with the study team at the information open days being held:

3pm – 7pm Monday 20th October Onehunga Community Centre, Church St, Onehunga 3pm – 7pm Wednesday 22nd October Mangere Bridge School Auditorium Mangere Bridge

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