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The Southern Corridor Improvements Project covers the stretch of Southern Motorway (SH1) from the SH20/SH1 connection at Manukau down to Papakura in the south. The Project includes additional lanes in both directions, upgraded Takanini Interchange and a 4.5km shared use pedestrian / cycle path.
The purpose of the project is to address existing bottlenecks at several locations along the Southern Motorway to provide a more reliable trip for all road users. There are also known safety risks at the Takanini Interchange, particularly at the northbound merge onto the motorway, which will be addressed as part of the Project.
Rapid population growth is expected in this area over the next 30 years. We need to meet the immediate needs of the city's growth as well as future proofing for the longer-term.
Improved journey reliability on the Southern Motorway (SH1).
More lanes to improve traffic flow.
Upgraded Takanini Interchange to improve safety and traffic flow.
Improved connections between the local roads and state highway network to ease congestion.
Improved walking and cycling facilities to connect communities.
Improved safety barriers and lighting.
New or improved noise walls, urban design and landscaping.
The Southern Corridor Improvements project is extremely complex and work is taking place within a highly constrained and narrow motorway corridor, resulting in a staged construction approach to ensure the motorway continues to operate during the work.
All additional motorway lanes being delivered by the project have now been opened, concluding with the opening of additional (third) lanes in both directions between Takanini and Papakura Interchanges in December 2019.
All work on the project was put on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown implemented on 26 March 2020.
Work has since restarted, however the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the project completion date is not yet known.
The project’s completion programme is currently being reviewed, taking account of the pandemic, the loss of a significant portion of the main summer construction season, operating restrictions and resource constraints under lower Alert levels, and the current winter weather.
Other parts of the project to be completed in 2020 include:
To see the latest photos and read about works progress, please read our construction update.
The Southern Corridor Improvements project incorporates the following key features:
A range of walking and cycling improvements will form part of the Southern Corridor Improvements project. These include:
Working in partnership with Bike Auckland and Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has developed a new map showing how the shared path being built as part of the Southern Corridor Improvements project will connect into the local walking and cycling network.
You can view the new Southern Path map below.
The Southern Motorway (SH1) is an essential part of Auckland’s transport network and is the primary route between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. In 2013, the Government announced an accelerated programme for investment in key projects, including the Southern Corridor. The accelerated projects will help ensure that these routes, which provide the backbone to national economic growth and productivity, provide better links and improved journeys.
The Southern Corridor is the stretch of Southern Motorway between the SH20/SH1 connection at the northern end and Papakura to the south.
The Southern Corridor is a key strategic route from the north, connecting Auckland to Hamilton, Tauranga and the rest of New Zealand.
Improvements to SH16 and SH20, with the completion of the Waterview Connection project in 2017 and the entire Western Ring Route in 2021, will increase the amount of traffic reaching SH1 heading southbound, in particular during peak times.
Recent growth predictions forecast that Auckland’s population will grow by another one million residents over the next three decades. This includes an additional 160,000 people, equivalent to a city the size of Hamilton, located in the southern area alone.
Our focus is on meeting the immediate demands of the city’s growth, whilst future-proofing for the long-term picture for Auckland to make the most of new infrastructure such as the completed Western Ring Route, City Rail Link, AMETI, additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing and the Puhoi to Wellsford motorway extension.
The Transport Agency’s aim is to deliver an integrated and reliable journey to customers – whether travelling by car, truck, bike or public transport.
CloseMotorists experience frequent bottlenecks at several locations along the Southern Motorway, in particular between the SH20/SH1 connection and Papakura, including the Takanini Interchange, creating significant delays and eroding journey reliability. This is caused by an imbalance in the number of lanes heading both northbound and southbound with the fluctuation from three to two lanes.
Additionally, growth in South Auckland is increasing the amount of congestion on the local road network at Great South Road with frequent delays for motorists and buses. This is also having an effect on traffic entering and exiting the motorway at the Takanini Interchange. There are also known safety risks at the Takanini Interchange, particularly with the northbound merge onto the motorway.
A lack of walking and cycling facilities along the southern corridor means fewer trips are made by foot or bike, leading to increased car use for short distance trips.
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