Delays expected at Te Atatu this weekend

The NZ Transport Agency says there will be significant lane restrictions at the Te Atatu Interchange from 10pm Friday 14 August to 5am Monday 17 August. Photo: Brett Phibbs.

Motorists are being advised to plan ahead to avoid delays around the Te Atatu interchange on the Northwestern motorway this weekend.

The NZ Transport Agency says there will be significant lane restrictions from 10pm Friday 14 August to 5am Monday 17 August which are likely to have an impact on those using the interchange.

To safely accommodate additional traffic volumes on the newly widened and raised Te Atatu Road over bridge, extra strengthening on the western side is required. In order to do the work safely, motorway on and off-ramp closures are necessary as well as lane restrictions on the Te Atatu Road over bridge.

These works will be carried out over the weekend when traffic volumes are lower to reduce the amount of disruption to road users.

Transport Agency's Highway Manager Brett Gliddon says although traffic levels are quieter over a weekend, delays are still likely.

"To help us complete the work as quickly as possible we are asking people to help us by staying off these particular roads, using alternative routes, or allowing plenty of time to get through the interchange. We would like to thank people for their continued patience and support."

The lane closures will be from 10pm Fri 14 Aug to 5am Mon 17 Aug and are as follows:-

• One lane in each direction over Te Atatu Road bridge

• The right turn from Te Atatu South to the citybound on-ramp will be closed

• The citybound loop motorway on-ramp will be closed

• One lane only will remain open on the westbound motorway off-ramp towards Te Atatu Peninsula

• The right turn from the citybound motorway off-ramp towards Te Atatu South will be closed

• The Northwestern cycleway and motorway will remain open.

This work is part of the Te Atatu Interchange Upgrade Project, one of six projects either completed or under construction to link the Northwestern and Southwestern (SH20) motorways and providing a motorway alternative to SH1 known as the Western Ring Route.