MEDIA RELEASE

NZ Transport Agency – Auckland Regional Office

12 August 2009

Slow down and drive with care over Newmarket

The NZ Transport Agency urges motorists to take extra care and be patient when journeying south over the Newmarket Viaduct on the Southern Motorway (SH1).

From Monday 17 August, temporary barriers and new lane markings - including a reduction of the merging lane adjacent to the Gillies Ave off-ramp - will be in place on the southbound lanes across the Newmarket Viaduct. A lower speed limit of 70km/h will also be enforced.

“We are making these changes for the safety of drivers as they travel through a live construction zone. The Newmarket Viaduct is one of the busiest sections of the country’s State Highway network, and the changes will help us to keep all three southbound lanes open for Auckland as we make progress on the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct replacement Project,” says Tommy Parker, the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland.

The traffic management measures are long term and a vital part of Newmarket Connection Stage 1, providing a buffer zone between the existing viaduct and the new four-lane bridge being built alongside it. Stage 1 will see the existing three-lane southbound motorway bridge replaced in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

“The Newmarket Connection project incorporates world leading engineering methodology, which allows us the opportunity to carry out a vital replacement of a busy stretch of road without bringing Auckland to a halt,” explains Mr Parker.

“To achieve this and to safely keep all three existing lanes open throughout Stage 1, we need the cooperation of all motorists. For this reason we are asking all motorists to drive responsibly and be aware of potential visual distractions,” he says.

A full night time closure of the southbound lanes of the Newmarket Viaduct, between the Gillies Avenue off-ramp and St Marks Road on-ramp is scheduled from 11pm Sunday 16 August until 5am Monday 17 August, to implement these changes. A signposted detour will be in place. In the event of bad weather, the work will be postponed to the next fine night.

Individual lane closures will also take place over subsequent nights. The NZTA says that those travelling to the airport should leave extra time for their journey.

The NZTA thanks motorists in advance for their patience and cooperation while this essential work to improve Auckland’s motorway network takes place.

The $215m Newmarket Connection project will replace the existing Newmarket Viaduct (flyover) with a wider, stronger and safer structure. The existing flyover will be dismantled piece by piece to reveal a completely new viaduct, scheduled for completion by December 2012.

For more information on the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement project, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/newmarketconnection or call the freephone number: 0508 CONNECT (266 6328).

ENDS

© Scoop Media