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The main road to Auckland Airport will be closed for five consecutive nights this week, Tuesday through Sunday.
Auckland Airport is undergoing work to improve George Bolt Memorial Drive. Source: Supplied
A raised gantry, sometimes called a pirate mast, is being removed.
Three new porches will be installed as part of a major project, called the Northern Network, to expand George Bolt Memorial Drive.
The improvement would allow for high occupancy vehicle lanes, with shared pedestrian and bicycle lanes throughout.
During closures, drivers can still take an alternate route to the airport.
Auckland Airport Infrastructure Manager André Lovatt said fewer air travelers were using the roads, so it should create fewer inconvenience than it would otherwise.
“By expanding the highway, we are increasing its capacity and supporting public transportation options,” Lovatt said.
“We are also taking the opportunity to carry out these works now to minimize disruption to road users while there are fewer vehicles on the road.”
Lovatt said a review of the project, along with the company’s other development priorities, was carried out after the pandemic.
“We are operating in a period of significantly reduced passenger numbers, but we remain confident in our future and must ensure that our road network is ready for the return of international air travel.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding the timing of aviation recovery, we have reworked the project to be able to deliver it sustainably, focusing on what is most important now and completing the rest of the project in stages.”
