Joint Manukau City Council/Transit NZ Media Release

17 April 2007

New Motorway Interchange Opens Up Growth Opportunities

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis and Transit Chief Executive Rick van Barneveld officially open one of Manukau's biggest transport projects today - the new Highbrook Drive and Highbrook Drive motorway interchange.

The new roading link opens direct access to an area of major business growth and a new park featuring one of Auckland's oldest volcanic craters.

The transport improvements create a direct link from the Southern Motorway to East Tamaki, a key economic and employment hub for Manukau City. The improvements are also a crucial element of the new Highbrook Business Park, where up to 12,000 people are expected to be employed.

Construction of the new interchange is part of the East Tamaki Connection project, which will see a big leap forward for roading in the area. The interchange includes both north and southbound on and off-ramps and a bridge across the motorway.

Work began on Stage 1 of the $74m project in December 2004 with construction taking place at both Highbrook Drive and Princes St. This included creation of the new Highbrook Drive Interchange and Highbrook Drive connections, the upgrade of the Princes St Interchange and the construction of an additional lane in both directions between the two.

The extra lanes and improved interchanges will add capacity to the motorway to lessen congestion and accommodate the 30,000 vehicles which are expected to use the new links daily.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the opening is one of the most important events this year for Manukau.

"The interchange has been one of the city's biggest transport projects and it opens up access to one of our biggest and most exciting development projects - the Highbrook Business Park. The world class standard being set will further reinforce Manukau's reputation as a centre of business excellence.

"The roading connections also mean major improvements in access to East Tamaki, a major employment centre, and areas like Botany and Flat Bush. It will also take a lot of pressure off Otahuhu and Otara's residential roads.

"The success of this project is due to a collaborative effort in planning and construction between Manukau City Council and Transit New Zealand. We've also worked closely with Highbrook Development Limited and Macquarie Goodman to make sure the whole area is of a high standard," Sir Barry says.
Note to editors: Aerial photos and map available on request

Background

* A $74 million project by Manukau City Council and Transit New Zealand. Highbrook Developments Limited contributed $7.6 million towards construction of Highbrook Drive

* Construction began in December 2004 and was completed on time in April by HEB Smithbridge Ltd

* A dedicated pedestrian and cycle path has been built across the Tamaki River next to the motorway to link Otahuhu with Highbrook and East Tamaki. It runs from Frank Grey Place in Otahuhu to Allens Rd and Bairds Rd in East Tamaki

* The opening of Highbrook Drive and the motorway interchange has allowed access to a part of Manukau that few people have visited before. The Waiouru Peninsula has been privately owned since the 19th century, it used to be the site of Sir Woolf Fisher's Ra Ora horse stud

* The new roading connections allow access to Manukau's newest park, the 40 hectare Highbrook Park. The reserve features the Pukekiwiriki crater, one of Auckland's oldest volcanic craters, and a 12km coastal walking and cycling track. Park areas on the south-eastern shore of Tamaki River have stunning coastal views of some of the features that define Auckland: One Tree Hill, Rangitoto, the Sky Tower and Mount Wellington

* A new 210m long bridge crossing of the Otara Creek near the existing weir

* Highbrook Drive - a new 3.5km arterial road from Allens Road in East Tamaki linking to the new Otara Creek bridge to be called Highbrook Drive

* A new bridge over the motorway with north and south bound on/off ramps to create Highbrook Drive Interchange near the Contact Energy site, Sterling Street and Wymondley Road

* Widening of the existing motorway, including the Tamaki River Bridge between Otahuhu and the new Highbrook Drive Interchange to provide two new traffic lanes

* A two lane business road linking Bairds Road, the Highbrook Drive Interchange and Highbrook Drive to the East Tamaki business area

* An upgraded northbound off ramp and northbound on ramp at the Princes Street Interchange and closure of the current Water Street off ramp at Princes St.

* Upgraded intersections at Cryers Road and Allens Road in East Tamaki, at Bairds Road and Wymondley Road, at Bairds Road and Hellabys Road and at Princes Street and Albert Streets in Otahuhu

* High profile businesses located at Highbrook Business Park include: DHL New Zealand, McPherson's Consumer Products, BMW New Zealand, New Zealand Post, Big Chill and Cottonsoft.

ENDS

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