(Image provided by Ash Mitchell) Waokauri Bridge earthworks are well underway in preparation for the stormwater outlet installation

State Highway 20B Early Improvements Update

19 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).

(Photo by Tanji Ahsan) New traffic signals and another freshly poured piece of the 3m wide concrete shared use path are celebrated by the Fulton Hogan Maintenance crew as the dawn breaks at SH20B

RACE TO THE FINISH!

It’s not all about boats.....

The winning team at SH20B are delighted to announce that we are closing in on our construction target, and will have four lanes open to traffic from April!

The highway upgrade includes additional high-occupancy vehicle lanes in each direction between Pukaki Creek Bridge and SH20, and these new lanes will ensure the electric AirportLink Bus service is a more reliable and quicker option for airport trips and connections to other transport modes like rail.

Our friends at Bike Auckland and the Te Araroa Trail are also delighted that the brand new three metre wide walking and cycling path will be ready for use – along with safe signalised road crossing points at Campana Road and Manukau Memorial Gardens.

The opening of the lanes does not mean the SH20B project is completed – construction work, including landscaping and final surfacing, will continue.

A grand opening ceremony is planned for mid-April so keep an eye on these updates and join us to celebrate!

Project progress

Activities next week (21-28 March)

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 hand rails for portions of the shared use path
• Reinstate the shared use path near the Pukaki Bridge
• Complete the outside road shoulder wire rope foundations
• Run wire rope cable and tension from Orrs Road to the Pukaki Bridge
• Continue pavement work at Campana Road North
• Lay chip seal at Campana Road North
• Continue installing traffic signs
• Prepare and kerb the northern viewing platform island
• Complete installing fence panels

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

• Pour concrete for the shared use path at the Manukau Memorial Gardens and down towards Prices Road
• Install the shared use path guardrail at Prices Road
• Continue earthworks at the Waokauri Bridge for the stormwater outlet.
• Lay kerbing for the Manukau Memorial Gardens central traffic  island and also at the traffic island near the SH20 Interchange
• Continue with shared use path construction at the SH20 Interchange
• Continue driveway construction near the SH20 INterchange
• Prepare the shared use path near the SH20 interchange

Utilities (throughout the site)

• Raise the Watercare hydrants and valves

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/