Auckland's airport motorway to close overnight

File photo / NZ Herald

Passengers travelling to Auckland Airport this weekend should allow for more travel time, as part of the South Western motorway to the airport will be closed overnight on Saturday.

The motorway, State Highway 20, will be closed from 8pm on Saturday to 8am on Sunday to allow for the main span of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to be lifted into place over the road as part of the Onehunga foreshore restoration.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has advised Auckland motorists to plan ahead and check for the latest travel information online before travelling this weekend.

In particular, those travelling to Auckland Airport to catch flights would need to allow more time for travel, NZTA highway manager Brett Gliddon said.

An Auckland Airport spokesman said NZTA had advised them that it would add only five minutes extra travel time.

"Passengers should build that into their travel times," he said.

Mr Gliddon said this weekend's work would only go ahead if weather conditions were suitable, and detours would be in place with traffic diversions from 7pm.

In addition to the closure of that part of the South Western Motorway, Orpheus Drive would also be closed for up to 24 hours from 6.30am on Saturday, Mr Gliddon said.

Motorists were advised to check for the latest highway information on www.highwayinfo.govt.nz or phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.