The NZ Transport Agency has awarded Leighton Contractors the contract to deliver the southern corridor improvements project.
The $267 million project is one of four Government accelerated transport projects for the Auckland region.The project area on state highway 1 extends from Manukau to Papakura.
“The project is one of a range of improvements being developed to address growth and demand within and south of Auckland by helping to move people and freight more efficiently,” says NZTA state highways manager for Auckland and Northland Brett Gliddon.
The project will form a component of the western ring route connecting Manukau and the North Shore via State Highway 20 (the Waterview tunnel) and state highways 16 (the Northwestern) and state highway 18, as an alternative North-South route to state highway 1.
The project will be opened gradually to coincide with the opening of the Waterview tunnel in early 2017.
The SCI project includes widening southbound lanes to four lanes between SH20 and Hill Road, and to three lanes between Hill Road and Papakura.
Northbound lanes will increase to three lanes from Papakura to Takanini
There will be an upgrade of the Takanini Interchange, as well as an upgrade of 16 existing bridges and construction of six new structures.
A new 4.5km walking, and cycleway will be part of the improvements, and new LED lighting will be installed.
NZTA says the benefits of the project include more consistent journey times on the Southern Motorway, improved traffic flow and connections between the local roads and state highway to help ease congestion.
Leighton Contractors is expected to begin construction in October this year and to complete the project in 2018.
