Cyclists using Hobsonville Road and the Upper Harbour Bridge will notice changes to their daily route from Friday 20 August, as part of the NZ Transport Agency's SH18 Hobsonville Deviation motorway project.
A temporary route will be in place from the intersection of Hobsonville Road and Buckley Avenue. Cyclists can cross Hobsonville Road, continue along Buckley Avenue and over the new Squadron Drive Bridge. This joins the existing cycle path in the lead up to Upper Harbour Bridge.
Cyclists travelling west from the North Shore can follow the same route in reverse.
NZTA's State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker said the safety of cyclists and pedestrians was a priority for the agency.
"It's important to the NZTA that cyclists and pedestrians can move safely around our construction sites. This temporary route avoids construction happening at the Squadron Drive Interchange, and takes in a new wide shared footpath we've recently finished on Squadron Drive Bridge."
The existing shared concrete path on Hobsonville Road beyond Buckley Avenue will be removed so construction can continue on the Squadron Drive Interchange that will eventually give motorway access to Hobsonville motorists when the project is complete in 2012.
Mr Parker advised cyclists to look out for signs in the area showing the new route. Cyclists are also asked to share the route and be considerate to pedestrians, who will also be using the new route.
In the event of wet weather, the route change will be postponed to a later date.
The six kilometre, four-lane Hobsonville motorway is the last section of the new SH18 to be completed, connecting to the Upper Harbour Bridge and Greenhithe sections at the eastern end and the Northwestern Motorway [SH16] to the west. The project also includes a three kilometre extension of SH16 to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road.
The NZTA's $220m project will help reduce congestion on Hobsonville Road and will open up access to developing areas in Massey and Kumeu. The project, which will also help reduce travel times for motorists by providing a better connection between Waitakere and North Shore cities and Rodney District, is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
For more information on the SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension project, phone 0800 520 202 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/upperharbourmotorway.
