This was signalled a few months ago but the NZTA has today announced that more of the bus shoulder lanes alongside SH16 will start closing from next week as part of the upgrade works. Here is the NZTA press release.
People can expect significant changes travelling on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway (State Highway16) from this Monday (16 September) as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s long term development of the Western Ring Route.
Some bus shoulder lanes along SH16 now need to be closed for up to three years so that contractors can complete their work safely as the Transport Agency’s project to widen and raise the causeway gets under way.
From Monday morning the eastbound bus shoulder lane from the Causeway Bridge to the Great North Road off-ramp will be closed for three years. The 110m closure extends the existing 700m closure on this section of the motorway.
Also on Monday, the eastbound bus shoulder lane from the Whau River bridge to the Patiki Road off-ramp (300m) will be closed for two years.
From Wednesday 18 September, a section of the westbound bus shoulder lane along the causeway to the Rosebank Rd off-ramp (400m) will be closed for three years.
From early October the westbound bus shoulder lane from the Great North Road on-ramp merge to the Causeway Bridge (400m) will be closed for three years.
The Transport Agency’s Highways Manager Tommy Parker acknowledges that these long term closures will have a significant impact on people using the route.
“Even with six lanes of motorway here, the corridor is very narrow and space is at a premium. With our work ramping up we need these shoulder lanes to give our workers the room they need to do their job safely. New bus lanes are expected to open in stages from 2015 as the project progresses”, he says.
To help, the Transport Agency is working with its partner Auckland Transport, and Auckland bus companies, to do everything possible to reduce delays and keep people moving. Mr Parker says that in the next few weeks the Transport Agency will introduce a number of measures to manage the impact of the work and help people stay connected with developments.
“One option for Northwestern regulars is to leave the car at home and take the bus to help reduce the number of vehicles using this tight space over the next few years.
Mr Parker says the Causeway Upgrade Project is one in a series of projects to complete the Western Ring Route connecting the Northwestern and Southwestern motorways giving Auckland a better transport network.
“The Western Ring Route is a huge roading project – the largest in NZ to date. To get it all done before the Waterview Tunnels are opened in early 2017 requires a massive programme of construction.
“Regrettably, this does mean impacts on people using the Northwestern over the next few years. We’re asking for your patience and care when driving to help make this a success so we can get the Causeway Upgrade and its neighbouring projects completed and delivering benefits for all New Zealanders.
The Western Ring Route is one of the Government’s seven roads of national significance. When finished, it will provide a motorway alternative to State Highway 1, reducing reliance on this heavily used corridor and providing Aucklanders with more options for travel. The Western Ring Route is also part of improving roading connections between Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty – helping to boost the economy and improve safety.
“There is going to be a lot of disruption as our work accelerates. But at the end of the day when our job is done the Northwestern will be a much improved motorway whether you drive, catch a bus or walk and cycle. In the meantime the Transport Agency thanks you for your support and patience,” Mr Parker says
I can fully understand that the need to reduce the lanes due to construction however it is quite comical for the NZTA to suggest that perhaps people catch a bus to help congestion when at the same they are removing any incentive for doing so as the bus will be stuck in the same congestion as cars. I wouldn’t be surprised if the opposite ends up happening with the people who do use buses along this corridor moving back to driving where possible making the situation worse.
As was suggested when this came up in July, they should be considering turning one lane into a bus and high occupancy vehicle lane to encourage people to use those options.
Other possible suggestions could be to do more to encourage people from the Henderson/Lincoln Rd area to try using the trains (not sure if there is capacity though) and also encourage people from the North-West to try out the Hobsonville and West Harbour ferries. I realise the frequencies and sailing times aren’t ideal for many but AT should be giving it a go. Of course the cycleway will still be open and with summer on the way it could be another great way for people to avoid the traffic.