Graphics of the project available
I went to the NZTA open day at the Papakura Library today to check out the initial designs for the Southern Motorway upgrade. For more on the project see my post here: Southern Motorway Upgrade Website Up
A brief recap from that post
Southern Motorway Upgrade Website Up
Bookmark the $212 million project
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) have got their website up for the Southern Motorway which is due to start late 2015 and with completion by the end of 2017 (when the Western Ring Route is also completed).
You can go here for the Southern Motorway Upgrade website.
Some key bits from the website on the project (source: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/auckland-southern-corridor/index.html )
About the Southern Corridor
The ‘Southern Corridor’ is the stretch of Southern Motorway between the SH20/SH1 connection at the northern end and Papakura to the south.
The Southern Corridor is a key strategic route from the north, connecting Auckland to Hamilton, Tauranga and the rest of New Zealand.
Improvements to SH16 and SH20, with the completion of the Waterview Connection project in 2017 and the entire Western Ring Route in 2021, will increase the amount of traffic reaching SH1 heading southbound, in particular during peak times.
Recent growth predictions forecast that Auckland’s population will grow by another one million residents over the next three decades. This includes an additional 160,000 people, equivalent to a city the size of Hamilton, located in the southern area alone.
…
The problem
Motorists experience frequent bottlenecks at several locations along the Southern Motorway, in particular between the SH20/SH1 connection and Papakura, including the Takanini Interchange, creating significant delays and eroding journey reliability. This is caused by an imbalance in the number of lanes heading both northbound and southbound with the fluctuation from three to two lanes.
Additionally, growth in South Auckland is increasing the amount of congestion on the local road network at Great South Road with frequent delays for motorists and buses. This is also having an effect on traffic entering and exiting the motorway at the Takanini Interchange. There are also known safety risks at the Takanini Interchange, particularly with the northbound merge onto the motorway.
A lack of walking and cycling facilities along the southern corridor means fewer trips are made by foot or bike, leading to increased car use for short distance trips.
…….
Source: https://voakl.net/2014/07/16/southern-motorway-upgrade-website-up/
Since then NZTA have released the initial designs to the Southern Motorway upgrade in which I will put down below in case you can not make an open day.
In order
Government Investment in Transport Projects
The Story of the South
What is the Southern Corridor Improvement Projects
Project Map
Takanini Interchange
Hill Road Interchange
Proposed Cycleway
Environmental Overview
How NZTA will Construct the Project
How to Provide Feedback
Will you be affected by the project
Source for the embeds: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/auckland-southern-corridor/publications.html
Initial Thoughts
For the most part the Southern Motorway project looks good. I am not so sure on the Takanini Interchange with City Bound traffic having to turn right via traffic lights on the Great South Road in order to enter the motorway compared to the arrangement we have now (the quarter clover leaf). I also notice a lack of bus lanes along the Great South Road in the Takanini Interchange area. Now I will seek clarification on how should be building those bus lanes along the Great South Road in the area. Is it NZTA or Auckland Transport. More to the point are the two talking to each other over the Interchange to allow the provisions for the bus lanes. If not why not, if so where is it on the Takanini Interchange map.
The freight lane for north bound trucks entering the motorway at Takanini is a good idea as it gives time for the heavy trucks to reach speed (going up a hill) before merging with the general motorway. As for the cycleways? Hope they happen.
More on this when the formal consultation starts.
Talking Southern Auckland 