NZTA says Auckland's Southern Motorway is now closed

NZTA opening

The NZ Transport Agency advises all drivers that Auckland's Southern Motorway (State Highway 1) is now closed going northbound over the Newmarket Viaduct.

The northbound lanes are closed from the Market Road off-ramp to the Gillies Avenue on-ramp so that the NZTA can complete necessary work to divert the motorway on to the new northbound Newmarket Viaduct. The NZTA plans to re-open the motorway by 8am on Auckland Anniversary Monday (30 January), when drivers will be using the new viaduct.

The NZTA completed a three hour traffic management operation to close off the lanes on one of the busiest motorways in New Zealand just after 8pm. First reports indicate drivers are heeding NZTA advice to stay off the roads during the closure.

The NZTA biggest challenge will occur tomorrow (Sunday) when up to 65,000 vehicles that normally use this section of motorway on Sundays will be re-directed on to other motorways in the Auckland network and non to local roads.

The NZTA says congestion will be heavy and there will be delays, even with detours in place to help drivers.

"We thank drivers for all their support during the Newmarket Viaduct replacement project and we are determined to complete this closure as quickly and as safely as we can. But until we have finished our final works, our best advice is to drive only if you have to," says the NZTA's acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton.

During the closure a team of 150 will divert motorway lanes on to the new viaduct and slide a huge lifting gantry weighing 700 tonnes off the new viaduct onto the old northbound lanes.

Auckland Transport and KiwiRial have deferred electrification work on the Southern Line, which runs through Newmarket, to provide people with another transport option during the motorway closure.

The Southern Motorway's southbound lanes are not affected by the closure.

ENDS

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