5 December 2014

Closure will add time for travel to Auckland airport

The NZ Transport Agency reminds drivers that the planned closure of Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway (State Highway 20) at Onehunga tomorrow night (Saturday, 6 December) will affect travel to and from Auckland International Airport.

The closure - to allow a heavy 80m-long span for a pedestrian/cycle bridge to be lifted into place over the motorway as part of Auckland Council’s restoration of the Onehunga foreshore - was postponed twice last month because of unfavourable winds.

The Transport Agency’s Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the overnight closure will have its biggest impact on people using the motorway to travel to the airport.

“Signed detours will be in place, but we would advise people to allow more travel time to comfortably arrive at the airport if they need to catch flights or are meeting family or friends,” Mr Gliddon says.

The Southwestern Motorway southbound will be closed from the Hillsborough Road interchange to the Neilson Street off-ramp. The Queenstown Road on-ramp will also be closed. The southbound on-ramp at Neilson Street remains open.

Northbound, the Onehunga on-ramp just past the Mangere bridge will be closed all night. The off-ramp will be closed for about 2 hours from 8pm.

Diversions will start from 7pm tomorrow. The motorway will be re-opened in both directions by eight o’clock on Sundaymorning. Drivers are advised to check for the latest highway information on www.highwayinfo.govt.nz or freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS. Electronic signs along the motorway network will also be used to help keep people informed of the closure.

Orpheus Drive, adjacent to the motorway, will be closed for up to 24 hours from 6.30am on Saturday so the bridge span can be moved into position for the overnight lift.

Mr Gliddon says if weather conditions are unsuitable, the lift will be postponed again.

ENDS

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