“To help avoid the congestion, only drive to SPS if you absolutely have to, try walking, biking or scootering where possible and use Rayma Place or Bean Place to park and walk to school via the walkway.
“Our class end-of-year celebrations are taking place on Friday 5th December from 9.15am. Please send your tamariki to school with their shared food before 8.55am.”
“Let’s work together to keep everyone safe and keep learning on track,” the post said.
Auckland Transport (AT) and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) have advised motorists to expect significant delays, including 40-minute queues to exit the motorway at Mt Wellington and waits of up to an hour to enter the shop’s car parks, while the surrounding streets are also forecast to be busy.
Ikea’s car park has 544 undercover car bays, 28 motorcycle bays and family and accessible spaces, but the store is also accessible from Sylvia Park via the covered walkway.
“We expect the opening day, and subsequent weeks or even months, to draw big crowds to the Sylvia Park area, and for this to have a substantial effect on the transport network both locally and across Auckland,” said AT operations centre manager Claire Howard.
Congestion is expected to be at its worst during evening peak traffic on weekdays and from 1-4pm on Saturdays, particularly for those heading north from South Auckland to Mt Wellington.
“We know people are excited about Ikea opening, but like any popular event or destination that attracts a large crowd, it’s going to put pressure on the transport network,” Howard said.
“The best thing you can do is allow plenty of extra time, check routes and travel times on navigation apps and travel outside of peak times if you can.”
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