MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 17 March
Road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transport for big weekend of events in Auckland

Auckland Transport advises there will be road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transport affecting access to the CBD and eastern waterfront this weekend.

The changes are to accommodate a number of events taking place in the CBD. They include a St Patricks Day Parade on Saturday 17 March, the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays and Volvo Race Series on Sunday 18 March.

A range of public transport options are available. For specific bus, train and ferry timetable information, check by using the www.maxx.co.nz journey planner.

Auckland Transport advises roads in the CBD and waterfront areas will also be busy with delays expected. Drivers heading into the city should be aware of parking restrictions and road closures. Parking is available at the ParkRight Downtown, Civic, Fanshawe St and Victoria Street car park buildings.

Journeys should be planned allowing plenty of time to arrive at destinations or motorists should consider alternative routes.
Saturday 17 March
• St Patrick’s Day Parade – Queen Street, 11am
Travel into town for the parade on normal scheduled public transport Saturday services. Normal fares apply.
The parade starts from Mayoral Drive down Queen Street to finish at the Viaduct.
The NZ Police will manage a moving closure of roads and traffic as the parade makes its way through the course route, starting from 11am.
Main roads affected include, Greys Ave, Mayoral Dr, Queen St, Customs St West, Lower Albert St and Quay St.
Sunday 18 March
• Ports of Auckland Round the Bays, 9.30am
Runners can take advantage of additional train services operating on all lines to and from Britomart. Normal bus services will be running on a Sunday timetable. Travel early so you don’t miss the start.
Road closures, parking restrictions and route diversions:
A series of road closures will be put in place throughout Sunday. The first closure will go in place from 7am with all closures expected to be removed by 11.30am.
Main roads affected include, Lower Albert St, The Strand, Quay St, Tamaki Dr and Kohimarama Rd. This will result in bus route diversions and bus stop closures. Bus services will return to their normal routes once Tamaki Drive has been reopened to traffic. There will also be parking restrictions in place from 5am to 11.30am.
Ferry
The Downtown Ferry Terminal is next to the Britomart Transport Centre in Downtown Auckland. Parking over at Devonport is available.
• Volvo Ocean Race – Auckland Stopover
Auckland Viaduct will be transformed into a vibrant race village for the stopover with the new Viaduct Events Centre acting as race HQ and a programme of entertainment on Te Wero Island.
Bus and train services will be operating on normal scheduled timetables. Spectators travelling to the final departure of the boats on Sunday 18 March can also take advantage of additional train services running on all lines to Britomart. Normal fares apply.
With the Volvo Ocean Race inner harbour and final departure races taking place this weekend, a number of viewing points in the CBD, Devonport and North Head will be heavily used.
Roads surrounding event areas will be busy and there may be delays, so plan your journey, travel early and please be patient.
• Taylor Swift concert, Vector Arena
Travel to the concert on normal scheduled bus, train or ferry services to Vector Arena. Additional train services will operate on Sunday 18 March to get passengers home after the concert. Normal fares apply.
• Vodafone Warriors vs. Canterbury Bulldogs, Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm
Don’t tackle the traffic, travel on additional train services running to Penrose Station Please travel early to avoid crowds and normal fares apply on trains. Normal bus services will be running on a Sunday timetable.
Limited parking is available at Mt Smart through Maurice Road entrance only. Otherwise drivers will need to park on surrounding streets, taking note that they have parked correctly and walk to the stadium.
ENDS

About Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.
Among its main tasks are:
To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.
Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel
Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

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