Maintenance work to begin next week on Auckland Harbour Bridge

Transit New Zealand is issuing a warning to Auckland motorists about likely delays to motorway traffic on the Auckland Harbour Bridge (AHB) and St Mary’s Bay during and after the holiday period.

From 6.00am on Monday 26 December 2005 until 10.00pm on Sunday 8 January 2006, the northbound clip-on lanes 1 and 2 and the Curran Street on-ramp will be closed to all traffic. This project is part of continuing resealing work essential to the upkeep of the Harbour Bridge. The application of a new polyurethane surface will result in fewer delays due to lower maintenance requirements.

The advice to motorists is to consider temporarily changing their driving patterns and/or transportation options.

Transit Regional Manager, Richard Hancy says that the work is unavoidable and has been scheduled for the least busy time of the year to minimise inconvenience to the public.

“Going by previous years, we are confident that the Harbour Bridge resealing will cause minimum disruption,” he says. “Weather permitting, the bridge will be fully opened before the main bulk of Aucklanders return from the Christmas break. Provided people are aware of the closure, avoid peak times, and take alternative routes where they can, traffic should stay flowing.”

Transit will be reminding drivers of the closures with advertising and community notices, as well as signage on the motorways and near the bridge. There will also be a free call number kept updated (0800 RESEAL).

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