The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has opened the Hobsonville motorway in north west Auckland, six months ahead of schedule.The new NZD$220 million ($184.5 million) motorway has two sections, where one is a six kilometre-long, four-lane motorway between Upper Harbour Bridge in the east and Westgate in the west. Another is a three kilometre-long extension of the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) from Westgate to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road.The Hobsonville motorway completes the northern section of the Western Ring Route road of national significance, connecting the North Shore and West Auckland and improves access to the north west areas of Kumeu and Massey.
Upon completion, the 48km-long Western Ring Route will provide an alternative to State Highway One between Manukau and Albany, and improve transport links between north, west and south Auckland, and to and from Auckland International Airport.
The Hobsonville project was carried out by HEB Construction and the motorway will improve communication to both Albany Stadium on the North Shore and Eden Park, ahead of the next month’s Rugby World Cup.
The Hobsonville Motorway is one of three major Auckland motorway projects opening ahead of schedule.In July of last year, the Manukau Harbour Crossing opened seven months ahead of schedule and the Victoria Park Tunnel will open in November this year, three months earlier than the deadline.
