(Photo by Tanji Ahsan): early morning shared use path works get the final touches as a plane comes in to land at Auckland International Airport.

State Highway 20B Early Improvements Update

29 January 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) Pouring the concrete for the shared use path is both time and weather dependent.

Shared use paths along SH20B

Maintenance crews have been pouring the concrete for new shared use paths along SH20B over the last three months.

The project team has laid 2,600m2 of concrete over 870 linear metres so far. Time and weather are both challenges the crews need to adapt to, with pours happening late nights and early mornings so the air temperature is not too hot - this could crack the concrete setting.

The team has now completed 30% of the pathways and are hoping to finish within the next eight weeks when around 8,000sq.m of path will have been laid.

The new shared use paths will provide alternative travel choice and safe journey for frequient users in SH20B including hikers for Te Araroa Trail, walking the length of New Zealand. 

Night time Stop/Go Traffic Control for SH20B

Each Sunday to Thursday night, between 9pm and 5am, we now have stop/go traffic control and traffic lights in place along SH20B.

This means that private vehicles and the electric Airport Link bus service will have access along SH20B between the SH20 Interchange and Auckland International Airport.

However, as we are still working on the road, there may be delays as we are move plant or stop work to let vehicles through. Please allow extra time for your journey.

Richard Anthony enjoys observing project progress in SH20B everyday.

Introducing Richard Anthony, Fulton Hogan Contractors Representative

Richard has had 25 years experience running construction projects around the world from tunnelling and pipelines to roads and bridges.

He moved from the UK to New Zealand to help with the Christchurch rebuild in 2013 before joining Fulton Hogan three years ago as a Contracts Manager. He has since looked after a variety of different jobs across Auckland.

"SH20B has been a fantastic project to be involved in" says Richard. "Especially driving to the site in the morning and seeing the changes that have happened overnight. That's a real highlight."

The most challenging aspect of working on SH20B for Richard was to accelerate the project to meet deadlines after delays particularly from Covid-19.

" We have had to catch up and we have worked our hardest to do it. The most enjoyable aspect of the job is the can-do attitude of the whole team from the client and designer down through Fulton Hogan to the workforce."

AirportLink service began on 20 January to help more public transport connections in South Auckland.

New electric AirportLink service is now available

On 20 January 2021, Auckland Transport (AT), Auckland Airport and Waka Kotahi have introduced South Auckland’s first fully electric bus service.

This marks the second electric fleet launch for the Auckland region - following the Waiheke electric vehicle launch in 2020.

The new AirportLink service began to run from Sunday 24 January to provide key transport connections between Manukau and Auckland Airport via Papatoetoe.

When the Puhinui Station Interchange opens in June, the service travels along a more direct route along bus priority lanes.

A new 38 bus service will operate to connect passengers between Auckland Airport and Onehunga and Māngere Bridge. The 38 and AirportLink will replace the Airporter 380, which will be no longer be in service from January 24, 2020. 

You can find more information at www.at.govt.nz/AtoB.

Project progress

Activities next week (31 January - 7 February)

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)

• Continue streetlight installation on the north side between Pukaki Creek Bridge and Waokauri Creek Bridge
• Continue signal works near Campana Road
• Continue pouring the shared use path between the aircraft viewing platform to Pukaki Creek Bridge, then up to south of Campana Road
• Start cutting off drains between the aircraft viewing platform and Orrs Road on the north side
• Continue paving works at night between Pukaki Creek Bridge and Campana Road

Waokauri Creek Bridge

• The daytime bridge crews and site offices will move off-site at the end of this week
• Over the next couple of weeks, railings and anti-climb brackets will be installed at night

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

• Continue installation of the shared use path underneath the SH20 overpass
• Continue vehicle crossing realignment works at Bowers Masonry 352 – 356 Puhinui Road
• Locate and protect the gas main opposite Manukau Memorial Gardens westbound via hydro vac
• Continue current drainage lines work opposite Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Line mark outside the Manukau Memorial Gardensin preparation for traffic shift
• Install street lights between the Manukau Memorial Gardens and the SH20 Interchange
• Continue drainage works near the Black Bridge Nursery Puhinui Road entry
• Continue widening works and guardrail installation near Prices Road. 

Utilities (throughout the site)

• Service ducts will be laid between Prices Road and 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 Bridge and SH20
• SH20 under-bridge shared use path works.

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/