NOTE: This release includes updated community day times. Ignore earlier release

MEDIA RELEASE

18 July 2011
NZ Transport Agency – Auckland Regional Office
NZTA says community “thank you” at special motorway event

The NZ Transport Agency says people will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk and cycle along Auckland’s newest highway - the 6 kilometre-long Hobsonville motorway – on Saturday, 6 August, before it opens to traffic.

“This is our way of saying thank you to the local community and to people all over Auckland for their support during the construction of the new motorway,” says the NZTA’s State Highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker. “A project of this size inevitably leads to some disruption, and that support has been a critical component in enabling us to open the new motorway six months ahead of schedule.”

The event is part of the celebrations to mark the official opening of the motorway.

People can walk and cycle the eastbound motorway lanes of SH18 [towards the North Shore] between Squadron Drive Interchange and Trig Road Interchange. The SH16 Brigham Creek Extension section of the project is not included as part of the walking route.

Date: Saturday 6 August
Venue: Eastbound lanes of SH18 Hobsonville motorway
Pedestrians: 12noon – 2pm [last entry 1.30pm]
Cyclists: 2pm – 3pm [last entry 2.30pm]
Walking entrances: Squadron Drive, Brigham Creek Road and Trig Road eastbound on-ramps
Cycling entrance: Only via Trig Road eastbound on-ramp
Transport: Free shuttles will be running on local roads with pick-up and drop-off points at Catalina Café, Squadron Drive, Brigham Creek Road and Trig Road.

Information displays and family activities including a bouncy castle and face painting are planned for along the route at Trig Road, Brigham Creek Road and Squadron Drive.

The NZTA is working with local schools to organise food and drink stalls for the open day. Students from Massey High School will be performing throughout the day.

Traffic is likely to be heavy in the area so NZTA recommends walking or catching public transport if possible. Visit www.maxx.co.nz or call 09 366 6400 for public transport information. Due to the large numbers expected at the open day the NZTA asks families to please leave dogs at home.

Construction crews will work overnight after the motorway walk to open the motorway to traffic on Sunday 7 August.

The four-lane Hobsonville motorway connects to the Upper Harbour Bridge and Greenhithe sections to the east and the Northwestern Motorway [SH16] to the west. The project also includes a three kilometre extension of SH16 to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road.

The NZTA’s $220M project completes the northern stretch of the Western Ring Route – one of the Government’s seven roads of national significance to encourage economic growth for the Auckland region and for New Zealand.

For more information on the SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project, phone 0800 520 202 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/hobsonville.

ENDS

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