Five years after initial designs were developed to separate SH20A from local traffic at the intersection of Kirkbride Road, contracts have now been signed off by NZTA and the MHX Alliance to get the project under way,
The MHX Kirkbride Alliance, comprising NZ Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, Beca, and Higgins Contractors are now tasked with finalising the design and gearing up for construction in the New Year.
The Agency’s decision to award the contract to the MHX Kirkbride Alliance is due to its previous work on the Manukau Harbour Crossing and a demonstrated track record in delivering projects on time and on budget.
Key features of the project include the construction of a trench that will carry SH20A – the main route to and from Auckland Airport – under Kirkbride Road, new facilities on local roads for walkers and cyclists, a fully segregated cycleway on SH20A and the provision for future bus shoulders on the state highway.
The trench under Kirkbride Road is designed to integrate with future rail, and the bridge over the trench will house Watercare’s Hunua 4 water main.
Benefits of the project include improved journey time reliability to and from the airport, efficient freight movements across Auckland, and improved safety for all road users at Kirkbride Road.
