Members of the National Road Carriers Inc. (NRC) are reacting positively to the demolition of the Neilson Street bridge which NZTA is replacing with a new and lower road.
NRC chief executive officer David Aitken says these changes have improved the sight lines for road transport drivers and allows extra space for safe turning.
“The connection between Neilson Street and Onehunga Wharf Road is now working much more efficiently with our members currently noticing better traffic flows,” says Aitken.
Truck drivers also appreciate that they are no longer required to stop for the light changes on the steep gradient that was a feature of the former overbridge.
The road layout was opened to traffic in mid-January and is part of new improvements the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport are carrying out in the context of the first stage of the East West Link project.
“The NRC is committing to keeping New Zealand moving, and this new lowered road is making it easier for freight and other heavy vehicles to travel through this important transportation hub,” says Aitken.
“When complete, the East West Link will provide a four-lane road connecting State Highway 20 at Onehunga to State Highway 1 at Mt Wellington, this will make it far more efficient and reliable for freight to move through this important industrial and manufacturing area,” he says.
“It’s great to see both the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport aren’t waiting until construction on the wider project gets underway and are getting on with creating early gains and improvements in the area,” says Aitken.
