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New intersection with traffic lights to open on SH20A
9 May, 2018
New intersection with traffic lights to open on SH20A to Auckland Airport
The NZ Transport Agency says the Landing Drive roundabout on SH20A to Auckland Airport will be transformed into an intersection controlled by traffic lights this weekend.
Motorists will need to comply with the new signals and allow plenty of time to stop on the red light, says the Transport Agency’s Senior Manager Project Delivery, Chris Hunt.
The roundabout will be closed on Saturday, 12 May from 8pm to allow final preparations including lane marking. It will reopen in daylight at 8am on Sunday morning as an 8-lane intersection for north and southbound traffic, with traffic lights controlling all movements through the intersection.
The Sunday morning opening will give the transformation team time to ensure the lights are correctly phased before the Monday morning peak period.
“Motorists need to slow down and approach the new intersection with caution as they adjust to the new layout and traffic lights,” says Mr Hunt.
The 12 May changes are weather dependent and may be delayed if required until the following weekend.
Changes to the intersection were necessary because the heavy traffic flows to and from the airport meant the roundabout did not function efficiently, says Mr Hunt.
The new eight lane intersection will increase capacity and improve safety and journey reliability to, from and within the Airport area. The Landing Drive intersection is where SH20A (also known as George Bolt Memorial Drive) ends and transitions into the airport road network.
Work will continue to build traffic islands, median strips and lay the final road surface. This work is planned to be finished by August 2018, says Mr Hunt.
The intersection will have 8 lanes for north and south-bound traffic flow with dedicated left and right turn lanes. Landing Drive and Verissimo Drive will also have dedicated turning and straight through lanes. This will improve the flow of traffic entering and exiting the industrial areas. The upgrade supports the significant traffic growth and development in the wider Airport Oaks area.
The upgrade of the Landing Drive intersection is part of ongoing improvements to SH20A, which is the primary route between Auckland Airport, its business district, and the greater Auckland area. Other improvements include the upgraded Kirkbride intersection, with its trench underpass separating local and airport traffic.
See more information on SH20A improvements at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh20a-to-airport/
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