Construction update

The complex interchange of the southern motorway and Great South Road at Takanini

Takanini interchange nears completion

The upgraded southbound off-ramp at Takanini is almost complete and now features two lanes heading left onto Great South Road, controlled by traffic lights. The temporary disruption to off-ramp traffic will be further alleviated next month when a second right-turning lane is opened and the full stacking capacity of the off-ramp is available.

The southbound onramp will have final EMOGPA (epoxy modified open grade porous asphalt) seal laid and permanent line marking in November, weather-permitting.
The new intersection features safe crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. The shared pathways also extend along Great South Road under the interchange to link local communities.

Lighting is being installed this month in both pedestrian and vehicle sections of the interchange, increasing visibility and security.

There was extensive landscaping and planting in September, including the shaping of protective earth bunds alongside the roadway and the excavation of swales to absorb stormwater runoff from the motorway.

The intersection of Great South Road and Spartan Road was upgraded and reshaped in September, creating smoother and safer traffic flow off the main road. The intersection will be controlled by traffic lights.

Motorists travelling through the interchange during October and November are asked to take extra care as there will be a number of changes to traffic flow as the lanes are moved to allow for final widening works and the construction of traffic islands in the central median.

The final seal will be laid over the coming months, weather permitting, and temporary barriers will be removed, leaving Great South Road in its final alignment.

After November, there will be some minor landscaping and signage works remaining.

Final EMOGPA surfacing is now complete on the motorway, including final lane markings

The final EMOGPA surface was laid on northbound motorway lanes from Papakura to Takanini during September

Final road surfacing completed

Final surfacing and lane markings have now been completed on both sides of the motorway from Manukau to Papakura.

Overhead gantry signs, traffic-counting detector loops, lighting, final barrier works and other finishing works will be completed in the coming weeks.

Final surfacing works to complete the new lanes on Great South Road will continue over the coming months. There will also be further motorway closures as finishing work is completed along the on/off-ramps and shared walking and cycling pathway.

The night crew, working under COVID-19 special conditions

Links are being competed between the walking and cycling pathway and existing neighbourhood walkways

Walking and cycling pathway nears completion

Walkers, runners, cyclists and people riding all kinds of personal mobility devices will soon be able to travel between Papakura and Takanini, as the shared pathway is set for completion in time for summer.

Areas once used for equipment and materials storage are being transformed into pedestrian rest areas, stormwater swales or planted gardens. These include a scenic area at Takaanini Point overlooking Pahurehure Inlet and a garden area beside the Takanini southbound on-ramp being planted in native trees and shrubs.

Landscaping and planting along the shared walking and cycling pathway is well underway with final planting to be carried out in the Autumn 2021 planting season.

Preparations are also underway for the additional link that will directly connect Walter Strevens Drive (near the motorway overbridge) to the pathway underneath. This will provide access to the pathway for nearby Conifer Grove residents and for pedestrians and cyclists coming from the eastern side of the motorway.

Work on the additional link will begin in October with the removal of six exotic trees that will later be replaced with 25 native trees. Essential underground services are being relocated and construction of the new link will begin in November.

Three mana whenua artworks will be installed where indicated above at Takaanini Point

Iwi artworks enhance project

During September, construction of footings began on eight mana whenua artworks commissioned for the shared pathway, park areas and significant promontories along both sides of the project.

The SCI Project has worked closely with local iwi throughout the project to ensure the development was carried out in the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and is proud to support the commissioning of these artworks.

The artworks, which will be installed and unveiled over the coming months, will be located at:

• The new wetland next to the Botanic Gardens, on the southbound side of the motorway
• Both sides of Papakura Stream, on the southbound side
• The new wetland at the Takanini interchange, on the southbound side
• Three sites at Takaanini Point, overlooking the Manukau Harbour, on the northbound side of the motorway
• Pescara Point reserve, on the northbound side

Artists from Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Ākitai Waiohua and Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua have undertaken the artworks.

More information

We hope you have enjoyed this construction update and we look forward to letting you know more about the works still remaining to be completed for the project.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact our team on free phone 0508 NZTA SCI (0508 6982 724) or at southerncorridor@nzta.govt.nz.

Under COVID-19 Alert Levels 2 and 1 you are welcome to visit us at the Project Office located at 8-12 Great South Road, Takanini (behind the Gull petrol station), however please stay home if you are unwell or have been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms indicative of COVID-19. There are contact tracing and social distancing protocols in place as you enter the Project Office.