All Auckland road users are being advised by the NZ Transport Agency that unusually high tides for the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours will occur again next week with the potential to flood sections of the city's motorway network. High tides of up to 3.6m are expected from Monday, 16 May, until Friday, 20 May.
"The high tides do not pose a significant risk to the safe operation of Auckland's motorways, but they will definitely have some impact on low-lying sections of the network", says Tommy Parker, Auckland State Highways Manager for the NZTA.
Mr Parker says the area most likely to be affected is sections of the road and cycleway on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) between the Patiki Road Interchange and the Rosebank Road Bridges. The NZTA is planning to raise the causeway by 1.5 metres and increase the width of the motorway to provide extra lanes as part of the project to complete construction of the Western Ring Route, the motorway alternative to SH1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
"The cycleway in this area will definitely be underwater when the tides peak, and for their safety we are asking cyclists to try to avoid using it 1.5 hours either side of high tide," says Mr Parker.
The unusually high tides will occur throughout the year on the following dates.
For more information on tide times, alternative routes or planned detours and closures please contact NZTA Auckland Motorways on 09 5200 200, email help@ama.nzta.govt.nz or visit www.aucklandmotorways.com(external link).
