(Image provided by Dushyant Mediratta) A very busy nightshift with a total of 6 crews onsite. Here were multiple teams working together with their machines such as the HIAB, a concrete truck, hydro vac, drilling rigs, excavators, diggers and traffic control.

State Highway 20B Early Improvements Update

26 March 2021

Kia ora koutou,

State Highway 20B Project Updates keep you up-to-date with project progress and upcoming physical works on State Highway 20B (SH20B).

Please join the opening event for an upgraded SH20B

The opening event we have been waiting for!

We are so close to opening four lanes of the highway! After 15 months of round-the-clock work (not to mention delays from COVID 19), we are starting to see the project coming together to acheive a real milestone.

As promised, this week’s newsletter includes the official invitation for the grand opening of the State Highway 20B bus priority lanes and a new shared use path.

The team would love to see you there to celebrate this monumental event. Please let us know if you are planning to attend.

However, this is not the end of the project. There are finishing touches like landscaping and service works to carry out before we get to final completion. All these works can take place off the highway and will not affect traffic, or people walking and on bikes!

A new speed limit of 60km/h will be introduced between Manukau Memorial Gardens and Orrs Road from 31 March 2020

Decisions on speed limit and bylaw on bus/T3 lanes

Last year Waka Kotahi asked for feedback on a proposed speed limit of 60km/h on SH20B between Manukau Memorial Gardens and Orrs Road. We also asked for public views on a dedicated bus lane in each direction that allows vehicles with three or more people (T3).

We have considered all technical assessments and consultation feedback, and Waka Kotahi decided that the speed limit will be reduced to 60km/h for a safer road environment.

Many stakeholders and community members supported the speed review with particularly high support for the speed reduction to 60km/h from the Manukau Memorial Gardens to Orrs Road on SH20B.

Additionally, the establishment of new bus/T3 lanes will be appropriate for SH20B as the new lanes will provide more reliable and safer journey for public transport users.

Waka Kotahi has received extensive public support for prioritising public transport and offering travel choices. A majority of the submissions during the public consultation also expected that the priority lane would have positive social and environmental outcomes.

These changes will be implemented from 31 March 2021.

Project progress

Activities next week (28 March - 4 April)

Please note that some works are weather dependent and may be delayed.

During the day (from 7am to 7pm)

Zone 1 (from Pukaki Creek Bridge to East of Campana Road)

• Finish installing tactile pavers between the central islands near Pukaki Creek Bridge
• Continue installing the wire rope safety bridge within the central island near the viewing platforms
• Continue pavement works for the fuel valve near Pukaki Creek Bridge
• Continue backfilling the traffic islands near the viewing platforms
• Continue kerb and channel repairs 
• Finish the remaining works at the viewing platforms 
• Complete installing signage around the site
• Install the journey radar near Campana Road
• Install CCTV pole at the Campana Road South East Corner

Zone 2 (from East of Campana Road to the SH20 Interchange)

• Complete pouring the remaining shared use path sections
• Finish prepping the Black Bridge nursery driveway and chip seal
• Install ground beam and guardrail to an additional section near Campana Road
• Complete earthworks at Waokauri Bridge for the stormwater outlet.
• Continue with the shared use path construction at the SH20 interchange
• Commence brick laying at the SH20 interchange
• Saw cut and install all traffic loops at the Manukau Memorial Gardens and Gantry location
• Finish the shared use path fence installation
• Continue with line marking
• Commission and turn on the southside traffic lights between Manukau Memorial Gardens and the SH20 interchange
• Install shared use path pillar mounted lights under the SH20 interchange

At night (all zones from 9pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday)

The road will be OPEN to through traffic, but STOP/GO traffic controls and traffic lights will operate.

Please drive safely and allow extra time for your journey

• Asphalt pavement replacement continues along the existing carriageway between Pukaki Creek Bridge and the SH20 Interchange
• Drainage and shared use path works throughout the site
• Temporary line marking at Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Off ramp traffic island replacement near the SH20 Interchange

Safety

SH20B has introduced the following safety measures to protect all road and shared path users including two temporary signalised road crossings for people on foot and on bikes:

• All traffic must turn left both into and out of properties and side roads. Manukau Memorial Gardens is exempt from left-turn movements
• Vehicles turning into driveways and side roads on the southern side must watch for bikes and foot traffic on the temporary shared cycle and walking path
• The speed limit for SH20B is 50kph from Manukau Memorial Gardens to Tom Pearce Drive, except at crossing points and coned paving areas where the speed will briefly drop to 30kph 

Contact us

Please call us at 0800 796 796 or email sh20B@nzta.govt.nz if you have any questions about the SH20B Early Improvements project.

Project overview

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Auckland International Airport Limited are upgrading State Highway 20B for better and more reliable travel options with a new shared path and additional priority lanes between Pukaki Creek Bridge and State Highway 20.

This project will integrate with improved transport facilities within the airport precinct along SH20B and at the upgraded Puhinui Station Interchange.

The project is the first step of the Southwest Gateway programme to provide better public transport, walking and cycling facilities with safer and more efficient freight movements to, from and around Southwest Auckland.

Fulton Hogan undertakes this work on behalf of Waka Kotahi.

Key early improvements on State Highway 20B to be delivered by 2021 include:

• A safe place for people to walk and ride bikes
• Safety improvements including central median barrier protection, improved lighting and a reduced speed
• Improved pavement, drainage and stormwater treatment
• Two improved intersections at Campana Road and Manukau Memorial Gardens.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.

For more information on the project, you can also visit our website at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/southwest-gateway/20connect/