Transit New Zealand
Auckland Regional Office

6 April 2006

Media Release

SH20 Mangere Bridge - One weekend still to go

Transit New Zealand is once again reminding motorists that SH20 Mangere Bridge will be closed this weekend to northbound traffic and warns that wet weather could affect the work this time. Delays are also likely for southbound traffic.

The last two weekends of closures were successful, with no major delays occurring thanks to motorists avoiding the area. This resulted in a reduction in traffic of around 50% compared to a normal weekend. The same reduction is required this weekend to avoid major hold ups.

Northbound traffic will be not be able to use the bridge from around 11pm on Friday, all day Saturday and Saturday night, through Sunday morning to around 11am. However, southbound traffic (towards the airport) will still be able to use the bridge all weekend.

The bridge will stay open to southbound traffic during the work because of the importance of access to Auckland International Airport. Southbound traffic will again have to be shifted over to the northbound side of the bridge which will slow down traffic around the work, so motorists should allow extra travelling time.

The closures are required to replace the original bridge expansion joints. Five ten tonne, nine metre joints have now been successfully replaced, with one final expansion joint still to go. The final joint will complete the project which has taken place in stages over the past two weekends and an earlier weekend in mid-February.

It is possible that wet weather may prevent the work from going ahead this weekend. If this happens, the work will be rescheduled for Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April.

Transit New Zealand Northern Operations Manager, Joseph Flanagan, is once again asking those motorists who are able to, to stay away from the bridge over this coming weekend: “Fewer vehicles on the road over the last two weekends has meant no major delays and we are hoping that this will be the case again this weekend,” he says.

“The work this weekend is dependent on good weather. Wet weather may mean the closing and opening times of the closures could vary and be adjusted if necessary, and any changes to the times will be done to cause the least inconvenience to motorists.

“If it looks like wet weather will postpone the work, we’ll let radio stations know and we’ll put the information up on www.transit.govt.nz and www.trafficnz.info. Our call centre staff will also be able to assist on 0800 737 325.”

Traffic will be managed so that if main detours become busy, detour signs will be changed to direct motorists away from the worst of the congestion.

You can continue to help reduce delays by:

- Avoiding travel in the area altogether.

- If you do have to travel, follow the signposted detours or consider using buses, shuttles and car-pooling to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

- Allow at least an hour extra for your journey, especially if you're travelling to or from the airport.

Route advice:
- If you are travelling from the airport to the city, the north or the west, please use SH20B Puhinui Rd and connect to the Southern Motorway (SH1) at Manukau.

- If you are leaving the airport and would normally take SH20A George Bolt Memorial Drive to reach a point north of Mangere Bridge, you should also use SH20B Puhinui Rd and connect to the Southern Motorway (SH1) at Manukau. Signs will then direct you as appropriate back onto SH20 just north of the Mangere Bridge.

- Traffic heading north on Roscommon Rd, from the south, should use the signposted detour along Wiri Station Rd to the Southern Motorway (SH1). For those motorists who need to get back onto SH20, signage will be in place.

- Any vehicles that stay on SH20 heading north, will be shifted off the motorway at Massey Rd Interchange and detoured along Massey Rd, Salesyard Rd, Great South Rd, Church St and Neilson St and back onto SH20 north of Mangere Bridge. If you are travelling to the City, west or to the north then we recommend that you join the Southern Motorway via the South Eastern Highway from the intersection with Church St and Great South Rd.

- Any traffic trying to enter the Motorway via SH20A or from the Mangere Bridge township area will be directed via Kirkbride Rd, McKenzie Rd, Walmsley Rd, Favona Rd, James Fletcher Drive and connect to the Massey Rd detour route at Salesyard Rd.

- Traffic from the airport wishing to get to Mangere and Mangere Bridge township should use SH20A George Bolt Memorial Dr as usual.

See www.maxx.co.nz for public transport information.

ENDS

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