-
Areas of congestion expected in Auckland this weekend. - Source: nzta.govt.nz -
Watch Video
-
Related
Officials hope Aucklanders will heed the warnings about closures on the Southern Motorway this weekend, with widespread traffic disruption expected.
The southbound lanes of the Newmarket viaduct will be closed from 5pm Saturday until 5am Monday.
State Highways Manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker, said the stretch of motorway normally accommodates more than 60,000 vehicles on Sunday alone and if normal traffic volumes are maintained severe congestion will quickly build up throughout the region.
And Parker is advising people heading to the airport to leave an extra hour early "just to be safe". He said motorists will be diverted to the south western motorway which leads to the airport and Manukau.
West Auckland residents should use the Waterview Interchange; from Albany the Upper Harbour Motorway joining onto the Northwestern is a good option; while people in central areas "will have to battle Sandringham Road", Parker said.
But Parker is optimistic that the disruption can be kept to manageable levels because of support from the NZTA's regional transport partners and from the high level of public awareness about the closure.
To view the NZTAs diversion maps, click here .
Free transport is being offered around parts of the region to help people get around with longer trains and free train travel between 5pm on Saturday and all day Sunday.
Parker said polls to measure the effectiveness of the education campaign show that 83% of all Aucklanders know of the closure and its potential impacts and he hopes that will translate into sharply reduced traffic volumes this weekend.
"If the great majority of people don't drive, it will ensure Auckland's roads remain viable for emergency services and those for whom travel is absolutely essential."
The closure will enable the Southbound Switch of motorway traffic on to the first half of the new Newmarket Viaduct.
During the closure, paving works will be completed at either end of the new viaduct, and the 800-tonne Big Blue construction gantry will be moved across onto the existing motorway.
Parker said the opening of the new southbound viaduct is the culmination of 18 months of extremely challenging construction on Stage 1 of the Newmarket Connection: Viaduct Replacement Project.
"We have worked alongside the country's busiest stretch of motorway with virtually no impact on daytime motorists."
