Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the entire SH18 motorway open?
- How much will it cost?
- Who is doing the work?
- What about pedestrians and cyclists?
- There is work occurring on/near my property - who can I speak to?
- Will roads be closed as part of construction?
- How can I find out more about the project?
- Will work take place at night?
- How do these projects link to the new motorway through Greenhithe?
- What is the Upper Harbour Motorway?
- Why is the project needed?
- What work has started or finished on this project?
- Will I still be able to use the road/motorway during construction?
- Why do we need a new motorway through Hobsonville?
- Will there be provisions for buses?
- Once the Upper Harbour Motorway is completed, will the road between Albany Highway and the Northern Motorway be upgraded to motorway standard and will there be a dedicated SH18-SH1 link, bypassing the intersection which is currently controlled by traffic lights?
1. When will the entire SH18 motorway open?
Construction has started and will take four years to complete. The entire project, both SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension will be completed and open in 2012.
2. How much will it cost?
Together SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension will cost an estimated $220 million. The total cost of the SH18 motorway is an estimated $400 million, including the Greenhithe Deviation and the duplication of Upper Harbour Bridge, which are already open.
3. Who is doing the work?
The NZ Transport Agency has let the contract for the project's detailed design and construction to HEB Construction Ltd. The NZTA has appointed Opus Consultants and Maunsell AECOM as technical advisors to the project.
4. What about pedestrians and cyclists?
The newly built cyclist and pedestrian path on the Upper Harbour Bridge will be extended over the motorway via the new Buckley Avenue Bridge to a signalised intersection with Buckley Avenue. Cyclist and pedestrian facilities will also be included in the new Hobsonville Road Interchange.
5. There is work occurring on/near my property - who can I speak to?
The NZ Transport Agency is committed to working with all residents affected by the work. If you would like to discuss work happening near your property, freephone 0800 520 202.
6. Will roads be closed as part of construction?
Temporary and limited permanent road closures will be needed throughout the four-year construction period. Extensive advertising and notification will give advance warning before any closures are put in place.
7. How can I find out more about the project?
For more information on the SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and Brigham Creek Extension projects, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/upperharbourmotorway/. Regular newsletters and updates will be distributed to residents and businesses in the local area. For information on the Hobsonville and Massey North developments see www.waitakere.govt.nz or contact Waitakere City Council on 09 839 0400.
8. Will work take place at night?
To complete the project as quickly as possible some work will take place at night. All noisy work will be completed before midnight where possible and all residents near work sites will be advised in advance of any expected disruption.
9. How do these projects link to the new motorway through Greenhithe?
SH18 Hobsonville Deviation is the last section of the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) to be built. Greenhithe Deviation, a new 5.5 kilometre, four-lane motorway completed last year, connects the Upper Harbour Bridge to Albany Highway. When Hobsonville Deviation is finished, motorists will be able to travel from Albany to the Northwestern Motorway along a single motorway.
10. What is the Upper Harbour Motorway?
The Upper Harbour Motorway is a 12 km, two and four-lane motorway extending from the intersection of Paul Matthews Drive and Upper Harbour Highway in the east to the end of the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) in the west. It is made up of three separate projects: Upper Harbour Bridge, Greenhithe Deviation and Hobsonville Deviation.
The motorway will provide an alternative route to the current SH18 and connect Waitakere City and North Shore City, passing through the developing residential areas of Greenhithe and Hobsonville.
11. Why is the project needed?
It will create a high standard transport link between Waitakere City and North Shore City. The new motorway will increase capacity and help to ease congestion on the existing Upper Harbour Drive and Hobsonville Road.
12. What work has started or finished on this project?
The Upper Harbour Bridge was completed in December 2006. The Greenhithe Deviation was completed in December 2007 and the final section - Hobsonville Deviation is under construction for completion in 2012.
13. Will I still be able to use the road/motorway during construction?
Yes, motorists will be able to use local roads in Hobsonville and the existing Upper Harbour Drive during the construction period. Motorists can follow clearly signposted detour routes around work sites and any major closures will be communicated well in advance.
14. Why do we need a new motorway through Hobsonville?
The capacity of Hobsonville Road and Upper Harbour Drive is at its maximum and must be developed to help manage current and predicted future growth. The Upper Harbour Motorway is also part of the Western Ring Route that when completed will provide a strategic alternative to SH1.
15. Will there be provisions for buses?
Yes, there are provisions for bus shoulder lanes on each side in the future along the Greenhithe Deviation, SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension.A slow lane has been included on Upper Harbour Bridge for heavy vehicles, including buses.
16. Once the Upper Harbour Motorway is completed, will the road between Albany Highway and the Northern Motorway be upgraded to motorway standard and will there be a dedicated SH18-SH1 link, bypassing the intersection which is currently controlled by traffic lights?
Transit has investigated a new motorway-to-motorway link between SH18 Albany Interchange and SH1 Constellation Interchange. Further investigation will take place in 2008/09-2010/11, as per the 10-year State Highway Plan and Forecast. This will assess the feasibility of upgrading SH1 Constellation Interchange and the current expressway between Albany Highway and Constellation Interchange. Access for Caribbean Drive and Paul Matthews Road will also be considered.
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