Construction update

New lanes are under construction on the southbound off-ramp at Takanini

Takanini off-ramp progress

Despite bad weather and COVID-19 constraints, work is progressing at pace on the upgraded southbound off-ramp at Takanini.

In order to improve safety while accommodating heavier off-ramp flows of traffic joining busy Great South Road towards Papakura, a traffic light-controlled intersection is being built that provides for two lanes heading left and two lanes heading right.

New traffic islands are currently being installed to separate the right and left-turning off-ramp traffic.

The shared walking and cycling pathway is being extended along both sides of Great South Road, to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate the interchange with greater safety.
Improved lighting is also being installed, both along the pathways and under the motorway overpass.

We apologise for the extra delays and queueing created by these off-ramp works. The final arrangement being constructed will provide a safer and more efficient off-ramp operation.

Final EMOGPA surfacing on the northbound lanes is progressing to Walter Strevens Drive Bridge and will continue to Takanini during September

The final EMOGPA surface is now being laid on northbound motorway lanes from Papakura to Takanini

Final road surfacing continues

Final surfacing works on the northbound motorway lanes have continued under COVID-19 Level 3, with additional safety provisions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Moving into COVID-19 Level 2.5 on 31 August still requires social distancing and safety precautions.

These provisions, in addition to a rainy August, have slowed down progress, but the final surface has been laid from Papakura north across the Pahurehure Inlet and past Conifer Grove Reserve on the northbound motorway lanes. “Ghost” line markings have now been eliminated from the sections already completed.

Final lane markings are painted as soon as each section of EMOGPA is laid.

As weather permits, the final surfacing will continue northwards up to Takanini Interchange during September. Special permission has been granted for extended work nights and extra shifts on Friday and Saturday nights where possible to make up for weather delays.

This last stretch of motorway surfacing will complete the main part of works on the motorway. Gantry signs, traffic counting detector loops, lighting, final barrier works and other finishing works will continue after the surfacing has been completed.

Final surfacing works to complete the new lanes on Great South Road will continue until late October. There may also be further motorway closures as artworks are installed and finishing work is completed along the shared walking and cycling pathway.

Concreting of the walking and cycling pathway between Gardone Reserve and Conifer Grove Reserve

Progress on walking and cycling pathway

Work is progressing on the walking and cycling pathway linking Papakura to Takanini and the communities in between.

Over the last month, as weather has allowed, more sections between Papakura and Conifer Grove have been joined up with newly-poured concrete. The section between Gardone Reserve and Conifer Grove Reserve has been completed, joining up to an already-completed section. Work will also soon begin on the section linking Walter Strevens Drive Bridge and Great South Road, including the side pathways that reach into the local community.

Sections of pathway along both sides of Great South Road are being concreted to allow safer pedestrian and cycling access along this busy roadway when complete.

Work will also soon commence on an additional community link to the walking and cycling pathway, which will directly connect Walter Strevens Drive near its 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.

Consultation on this “ramp link” was undertaken by Auckland Transport in early 2018, and the submissions received showed a high level of support for the new connection.

The ramp link will require the removal of six exotic trees, however these will be replaced with 25 native trees planted around the same location or nearby. Work is expected to begin in September with the removal of these trees and the relocation of various underground services, with construction to follow in October/November.

Landscaping and planting along the shared walking and cycling pathway is well underway and is due for completion in the coming month or so.

As the whole SCI Project is progressing, 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 overlooking Pahurehure Inlet and a garden area beside the Takanini southbound on-ramp being planted in native trees and shrubs.

Soon also, the construction materials being stored in the Takanini interchange loop will be replaced with a permanent storage yard for materials needed for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the motorway network. The storage yard will be landscaped with trees and shrubs to minimise the visual impact.

The full walking and cycling pathway alongside the motorway and pedestrian bridge over the motorway at Pescara Point are expected to be opened in November/December, including the additional Walter Strevens Drive link.

The new footbridge at Pescara Point has been fully concreted, as have the approaches linking it to the walking and cycling pathway

Spartan Road improvements

The Spartan Road resurfacing was unable to be completed in August due to rain and is now scheduled for September.

The Great South Road end of Spartan Road will be closed every night (Sunday to Thursday) during September, from 9pm to 5am, until completed. Paving crews will be building up, repairing and resurfacing the area under the motorway southbound off-ramp.

During these night closures, there will be public access to Spartan Road from its eastern end off Takanini School Road, or via Manuroa Road and Oakleigh Avenue.

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 the COVID-19 Level 2 Alert Level, 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.