Another milestone has been reached as we celebrate the installation of new streetlights on the project.

State Highway 20B Early Improvements Update

25 September 2020

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).

Night time paving works across SH20B have made excellent progress and road users will notice a big improvement in the ride quality.

As these newly paved areas are created, traffic cones will temporarily replace line marking to accommodate the required staging.

The speed limit will briefly drop to 30kph. Please take extra care.

COMING UP: Public consultation on a new speed limit for SH20B

Waka Kotahi is planning public consultation on a new speed limit along SH20B.

Over 28,000 vehicles travel along SH20B each day. With a new road layout, new walking and cycling facilities, new intersections and future development planned, we want to make SH20B safer for all travellers.

The consultation follows the 2019 engagement when we asked for people's views on lowering the current speed limit from 100kph to 60kph.

86% of people said they’d like to see a reduced speed limit on this section of the state highway. Of these, 76% of people supported a reduced speed limit of 60km/h for a safer corridor.

You can find more information on the engagement outcomes at Southwest Gateway - Engagement Summary Report - November to December 2019.

The public consultation will begin in mid-October 2020 for a four-week period as per as per the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2017).

We will keep you updated with the starting date of the public consultation and more information over the coming weeks.

Project progress

Activities next week (27 September - 4 October)

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

During the day (from 7am to 6pm)

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

• Earthworks and subgrade improvement placement  between the Campana intersection and Waokauri Bridge
• Installation of network storm water drainage and subsoil drainage at Aviation Security entrance and Pukaki Creek Bridge
• Deep lift asphalting pavement widening on the south side of the alignment between Orrs Road and Waokauri Creek.
• Kerb, channel and barrier installation between Pukaki Creek Bridge and the Campana Intersection.

Waokauri Bridge

• Pier headstock construction
• Finalising demolition of the existing bridge walkway

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

• Preparing subgrade west of the Manukau Memorial Gardens entrance
• Earthworks batter cuts approaching SH20 interchange
• Construct driveway at SH20 interchange
• Filling operation to the east of the surcharge and preparation of base layers
• Installation of drainage between Prices Road and Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Starting the installation of service ducts
• Demolition of foundations for the recently removed overhead message board gantry near Manukau Memorial Gardens

Utilities(throughout the site)

• Common Service trenching between Pukaki Creek Bridge and Campana Road has been completed
• Preparing to install a new power transformer at Orrs Road and liven the new cables during the second week of October
• Preparing to install a new power transformer by the Manukau Memorial Gardens and change over all the connections
• Installation of street lights throughout the site.

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

There will be no through traffic from SH20 Interchange to the Tom Pearce Drive roundabout. Please follow the posted detour signs on SH20B.

People on foot, bikes and residents will still have access.

The road will be under either stop/go or full road closure traffic management

• Exploratory works still underway verifying the location of numerous existing services.
• Trenching works for ducting and drainage crossings at multiple locations ongoing.

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
• Night time detours will likely be in place from Sunday to Thursday between 9pm and 5am.  Please follow the posted detour routes
• 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. Please drive safely and allow extra time for your journey.

Looking Ahead

An ongoing comprehensive programme of night works is in place to enable trenching for utility services and ducting at multiple locations across SH20B. Posted detours will be in place. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Please drive safely and allow extra time for your journey.

BUS ROUTE 380

Due to the road works on SH20B, please expect delays and allow extra time for your journey for those using Bus Route 380. Thank you for your understanding.

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/