Northern Corridor Improvements

20 December 2022

SH18 shared path community day

SH18 shared path now open

The shared path running adjacent to SH18 opened earlier this month, helping make it safer for you to get around the Unsworth Heights community and Rosedale industrial areas on foot or by bike.

Nearly 4km of path and local connections between Albany Highway and Constellation Station mean you’re now better connected to your whānau and friends as well as places of work, play and public transport hubs. Connections to local areas are located at Paul Matthews Road, Caribbean Drive, Rook Reserve, Alexandra Stream Underpass and William Pickering Drive.

Providing travel options and making it appealing for people to walk, cycle or scoot to get around their neighbourhood not only helps reduce congestion and air pollution but also creates better places to live which support our health and wellbeing.

It was great to see so many of you at our community pop up session where we could share more news on what’s happening across the project next year.

Above: Future motorway to motorway connections

2022 update and a look towards 2023

Work on SH1 has focused on paving with multiple crews working at night to undertake this task so we can keep the state highway open during the day for the thousands of vehicles which travel through the area. 

The direct SH18 to SH1 motorway link for people travelling from the west and heading north will open in the second quarter of 2023. In addition to finishing work on the link itself which includes activities such as the final road surfacing and installing streetlights, we also need all SH1 northbound lanes in their final configuration to ensure that the traffic flows smoothly when the link opens.

Construction is nearly complete for the SH1 to SH18 direct underpass for people travelling from the north and heading west on the Western Ring Route. Prior to opening in the second quarter of the year, a commissioning works process needs to be carried out to ensure that the underpass is safe for people to use. This includes commissioning the lighting, CCTV, communications equipment, emergency response for fire emergencies, fire mains, and drainage.

Works on the shared path adjacent to SH1 which will extend from Constellation Station to Oteha Valley Road progresses well with the team focusing on the connections and tie-ins to local roads in addition to the safety features such as lighting and handrails that are necessary prior to opening. The shared path is also the only access the construction team have to reach certain areas where there is outstanding works so we aren’t able to open it until these are complete.

Happy summer holidays

Whether you’re already packing your bags to head off and explore outside of the Auckland region or simply looking forward to getting together at home with whānau and friends, the Northern Corridor Improvements project team wishes you a safe and happy festive season.

Our team will be taking their break from Friday 23 December and back on site on Monday 9 January 2023.

Please take care on the roads and plan your journey before setting off. We hope you have a great summer break and a well-deserved rest.

Kia kaha

Latest photos from site

Whakapā mai | Contact us

For more information on the Auckland Northern Corridor project, contact us on 0800 NCI Project (0800 624 776) or at northerncorridor@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website http://www.nzta.govt.nz/nci