Footpath project delays motorists heading to airport

Motorists in a hurry to get to the airport from central Auckland are being advised to avoid Pah and Queenstown Rds, where footpath reconstruction is causing traffic delays.

Auckland City Council yesterday advised motorists to take alternative routes or to expect delays, even though it has adjusted traffic lights at the two neighbouring intersections between Herd Rd and Trafalgar St.

The council suggested taking on-ramps to the new extension of the Southwestern Motorway at Dominion Rd, Hillsborough Rd or Sandringham Rd as alternative routes.

The council also indicates frustration for motorists in Dominion Rd, where the surface is being rebuilt in the long stretch between Balmoral Rd and the Mt Roskill shopping centre near Mt Albert Rd. Traffic is expected to be confined to one lane in each direction until Tuesday.

Footpath reconstruction in Pah and Queenstown Rds will continue until January 24. The council expects delays should ease slightly by the end of this week.

The council has listed 15 other summer roadworks sites, including St Marks Rd in Newmarket, which will remain closed until January 24.

Princes St next to Auckland University will also remain closed between Wellesley St East and Alfred St until January 27. Traffic may face delays from work for power lines company Vector until early February in Beach Rd in central Auckland, from Constitution Hill to Tangihua St, and from there to Quay St and Plumer St on the waterfront.

Lane closures for Vector work are expected until January 29 along the upper sections of Queen St, between Mayoral Drive and Ian McKinnon Drive in Newton.