A bridge dubbed the gateway to Auckland will open later this
year, several months ahead of schedule.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today the Manukau
Harbour crossing was part of the western ring route around
Auckland and was originally to have been opened in time for
the Rugby World Cup next year.
That timetable was revised and the opening date was set for
the end of November but Mr Joyce said today it would be
opened to traffic by August 31.
The bridge was a major route to the airport and a gateway to
Auckland, said Mr Joyce.
It would provide "relief for motorists of all types held up
in the daily congestion grind either to and from the airport
or from south to west Auckland and back the other way."
He said the trips would be faster and provide major financial
benefits to businesses.
The new bridge is part of a $230 million project to build a
second bridge beside the existing bridge and build new
motorways.
Once completed the Western Ring Route would offer an
alternative to State Highway 1 between Manukau City and
Albany.
The bridge and new motorways are being built by the Manukau
Harbour Crossing Alliance, consisting of the NZ Transport
Agency, Fletcher Construction, Beca Infrastructure and
Higgins Contractors.
The new bridge will have four southbound traffic lanes and a
bus shoulder lane while the existing bridge will carry four
northbound traffic lanes and a bus shoulder lane.
The foundations of the bridge were strong enough to carry a
low-level rail link, said the New Zealand Transport Agency.
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