Southbound viaduct (http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz)
The New Zealand Transport Agency(NZTA) and its contractors have been building a new viaduct this year on Auckland’s Southern Motorway (State Highway 1) and removing the old one built 1965 in stages while the road remains open. Now, the final segment of the new northbound bridge of the Newmarket Viaduct has been placed. 234 concrete segments, 70 tons each, have now been positioned to construct the new northbound viaduct.
“The way is now clear to complete the next important stage of the project – one where the support of drivers will be critical if we are to complete this essential work successfully,” says Tommy Parker, NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland,.
The 1.5 meter-wide gap between the new northern and southern viaducts will be filled to complete the structure. The two viaducts will be concreted together on December 3 and 4 in an 18 hour-long operation known as the Stitch. Three of the four southbound lanes on the viaduct will be closed during the operation.
The Stitch starts at 6pm on Saturday, December 3. Southbound drivers will have to go from Gillies Avenue off ramp to St Marks Road on ramp.
Work will continue on the new northbound half of the viaduct when the Stitch is completed on December 4 . Switching traffic will happen over Auckland Anniversary Weekend(January 28-30). All three northbound lanes over Newmarket will be closed to traffic for 36 hours to link the motorway to the new viaduct.