I commute daily from Otahuhu to the North Shore. There is always a bottleneck on the Southern Motorway, northbound, at the two-lane overbridge at Mt Wellington. Can you advise if there are any plans to widening the overbridge?
Arlene Webb, Otahuhu, and Daniel McKenzie, Auckland.
The Transport Agency has recently considered options for widening the Southern Motorway at Mt Wellington. However, investigations to date have shown that an additional lane would have the effect of increasing congestion at the Southeastern Arterial and Ellerslie-Panmure interchanges which would negate any benefits achieved by the additional lane. This is due to the increased traffic volumes that an additional lane would create, and a high level of traffic weaving and merging at these downstream locations. Because of this the Transport Agency has no current plans to widen the Southern Motorway at this location. However, the long term answer to some of these congestion points is better utilisation of the entire network. One of the key benefits of the Western Ring Route when it is completed is that it will provide effective alternative options to the southern corridor easing pressure on areas like the Mt Wellington interchange.
Could you please provide an update on the Waterview Connection?
Bob Whiteman, Auckland.
I'd be happy to. The huge yellow gantry, nicknamed Dennis, is resuming its ascent to the Great North Rd Interchange's (GNRI) highest point - 23m above ground - after recently taking a short break while sub-standard concrete was removed from span six of ramp four and replaced with new concrete of the correct strength. After biding its time in the cold while remedial work was carried out, the giant yellow gantry has been adding to the 46 beams already placed on ramp four which has a total of 77. The next stage of beam placement is the most complex and intense part of our ramp construction. Manoeuvring Dennis to place as many as 15 Super T Beams (60 tonnes each) over the motorway has required some road closures in and around the Great North Rd Interchange. Throughout this month a series of overnight closures from Sunday to Thursday have occurred through the Great North Rd Interchange to assist with ramp four beam placement.
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