Transit New Zealand - Auckland Regional Office

21 February 2006

Lanes closures on Mangere Bridge postponed

Lane closures planned for this weekend on Mangere Bridge on the Southwestern Motorway (SH20) have been postponed. All lanes on the bridge, northbound and southbound, will be open.

The northbound lanes of the bridge were closed last weekend to replace the first of six bridge joints.

Transit New Zealand will not close any lanes this weekend as it reviews the work schedule for installation of the remaining five joints. Each of the joints requires lengthy and continuous activity to complete.

The existing joints were installed when the bridge was built in the 1980's. The six new joints will strengthen the bridge and improve its ability to deal with heavy loads and possible seismic activity.

"Transit is revising its traffic management for this project and is looking at ways to implement multiple detours as opposed to the single detour route last weekend," says Transit New Zealand Regional Manager, Richard Hancy. "We are also looking at additional signage along the detour routes.

"Our aim is to reduce the impact of the bridge closure on communities but, because of the nature of the job, there will still be delays. We are looking at ways of shortening the closures and reducing the delays.

"Work on Mangere Bridge is difficult due to demand in the area and the nature of the work. Care is being taken to allow this necessary maintenance to go ahead with as little disruption to traffic as possible."

New closure dates for the work will be announced.

ENDS

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