Major changes to roundabout on SH20A to Auckland Airport
The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists travelling to Auckland Airport on State Highway 20A that work is about to
start on changes to the layout of the Landing Drive roundabout.
The changes are to improve safety, traffic flows and journey reliability, says the Transport Agency’s Senior Manager
Project Delivery, Chris Hunt.
Landing Drive is the first roundabout on SH20A (also known as George Bolt Memorial Drive) after the Kirkbride Road
underpass for traffic coming from the city.
The Landing Drive roundabout will be transformed into an eight lane intersection controlled by traffic lights. The
change is necessary because the heavy traffic flows to and from the airport mean the roundabout does not function
efficiently.
The first changes will be made on Saturday, 3rd March when the size of the roundabout is reduced.
“There will be no reduction in the number of lanes, but some lanes may change alignment to accommodate the smaller
roundabout,” says Mr Hunt.
The transformation from roundabout to intersection is expected to take several months.
The Transport Agency asks drivers to be patient, obey the traffic lights and allow extra time for their journey.
“Layout changes will be ongoing to enable the team to create safe work areas, so the Transport Agency urges drivers to
approach the area with caution and to be prepared for changes from the last time you visited the airport,” says Mr Hunt.
When completed the intersection will have 8 lanes for north and south-bound traffic flow with dedicated left and right
turn lanes. Landing Drive and Verissimo Drive will also have dedicated turning and straight through lanes. This will
improve the flow of traffic entering and exiting the industrial areas.
The upgrade of the Landing Drive roundabout is part of ongoing improvements to SH20A, which is the primary route to and
from Auckland Airport and forms a strategic link between SH20 and SH16, the Airport business district and the greater
Auckland area. Other improvements include the upgraded Kirkbride intersection, with its trench underpass separating
local and airport traffic