Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say work has started on the first of the Government’s Roads of National Significance. Video / Mark Mitchell
A section of the Southern Motorway will close in both directions for 14 hours so a bridge can be demolished as part of a major highway improvement project.
All lanes on State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury, at the southern edge of Auckland, will be closed from 7.30pm thisSaturday to 9.30am the following morning, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said.
Motorists should plan ahead and expect delays, with traffic detoured between Papakura and Drury in both directions along Beach Rd and Great South Rd, the agency said.
The roughly 4km closure was for the demolition of the Bremner Rd bridge over SH1 to take place.
“The existing bridge is being replaced to accommodate the additional motorway lanes being constructed as part of the [State Highway 1] Papakura to Drury project.
“The new bridge will take three years to rebuild because of the staging of construction on other elements of the project in the immediate vicinity.”
The Bremner Rd bridge over the Southern Motorway in Auckland's Drury is to be demolished this Saturday night for the SH1 Papakura to Drury project, which is part of the Government's Roads of National Significance improvement works. Photo / Google Streetview
The motorway project was one of the Government’s Roads of Regional Significance works “intended to get our cities moving, save lives and boost productivity”, NZTA said.
It is expected to be completed in August 2030 and included completing three lanes on SH1 in each direction between the Papakura and Drury interchanges, relocating and lifting the Drury Interchange and overall improved “safety features, lighting and environmental outcomes”.
The planned Southern Motorway closure this Saturday night covers about 4km of State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury at the southern end of Auckland. Image / Google Maps
Six new motorway bridges and roading approaches would also be built as part of the project, and two local road bridges would be replaced.
Other improvements would include a new 4km shared walking and cycling path along the western side of the motorway, and new foot and bike paths on Great South Rd under the Drury Interchange, NZTA said.
