The Te Atatu and Lincoln Road interchanges on SH16 are open again – with a $210m bill – as the first part of the the Western Ring Route.
Opened by transport minister Simon Bridges, the increased capacity of the two projects will free up Northwestern motorway traffic flow and remove bottlenecks for buses.“These two projects are the first of several improvements to be opened this year as part of the Western Ring Route – the biggest infrastructure project in New Zealand, and a project that’s been sixty years in the making,” Mr Bridges says.
“The $2.4 billion Western Ring Route is a crucial part of this Government’s commitment to help promote economic growth, productivity and journey reliability. Once completed the 48-kilometre route will create a seamless motorway connection between Manukau and Albany along State Highways 20, 16 and 18.
“Widening these sections of the Northwestern motorway from two to three lanes will increase capacity to help deal with Auckland’s growing population and freight demands.
“Together the Lincoln Road and Te Atatū interchanges will work to create greater travel time reliability and resilience by offering an efficient additional route to get across and around Auckland,” Mr Bridges says.
Further projects currently underway as part of the Western Ring Route and due to be completed later this year include the Causeway Upgrade and the St Lukes to Great North Road Project, with the Waterview Connection due to be opened in early 2017.
