Central Connector
Introduction |
Works update |
Central Connector route |
Grafton Bridge |
Central Connector design plans |
Streetscape improvements | Changes to key
intersections | Stay informed
Works update
Anzac Avenue
Anzac Avenue's dedicated bus lanes are working well, and
the pedestrian environment has been greatly improved, with new crossings and
traffic islands ensuring their safety.
Lower Symonds Street
The area near The University of Auckland is now completed,
creating a better environment for students and other users of the area.
A new pedestrian crossing outside the university's
Recreation Centre means people can easily cross Symonds Street, additional
street lighting makes the area safer at night, and the addition of new
footpaths, trees and landscaping makes the area inviting and attractive.
The project team wants to remind people to keep to
designated paths so the new landscaping has a chance to establish itself.
Upper Symonds Street
Progress is good in this area, with the outbound side of
Upper Symonds Street nearing completion, and work underway on the inbound side,
outside The Langham Hotel. Work on this section of Symonds Street is scheduled
to be complete in September.
Park Road
Work on Park Road outside the shops and Medical School
continues, and is scheduled to be complete next month. Work by Metrowater and
Telecom was completed in conjunction with council's work in this area, to
minimise disruption in the future.
DART rail connections
Work by ONTARCK at Khyber Pass Road is progressing well on
the middle section of the rail overbridge and work is nearly finished on the
eastern side of Park Road. ONTRACK will soon shift traffic so they can begin on the second phase of construction. All overbridges are
being rebuilt to provide adequate clearances for electric trains in the future,
and at Khyber Pass and Park Roads, the cutting beneath the bridges is being
widened to allow room for a second track.
Hours of work
Work is carried out between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 5
pm Saturday. There will also be some work overnight.
Details of work
The work in the Anzac Avenue, Park Road and Symonds Street areas involves
improving pedestrian crossings and widening the roads for bus lanes.
In addition, Auckland City Council is working closely with Metrowater to replace
about 2.2km of water main pipes on Park Road.
Metrowater is planning sewer separation works in the Grafton area to reduce the
amount of wastewater that overflows into the harbour after heavy rain.
During construction on Park Road, two of the four lanes remain open. There is no
parking on Park Road for the duration of work in this area.
Work on Grafton Bridge
The work involves strengthening the bridge columns with steel bar
reinforcements, strengthening the bridge beams with carbon fibre and installing
new reinforcements to resist horizontal earthquake movement. There will also be
some restoration work including repairing cracks in the concrete, removing algal
growth and
replacing joints and bridge bearings. Work on the heritage
icon, is necessary to bring it up to modern environmental and transport
standards. Recent structural investigations found earthquake resistance was not
considered in the bridge's original design and that heavy transport, including
buses, cannot currently use the bridge.
| Construction timeline |
 |
August 2009 - Work
ends on Park Road |
 |
September 2009 - Work
starts on Upper Symonds Street |
 |
October 2009 - Work
ends on Grafton Bridge |
 |
October -
Central Connector becomes operational |
Updated July 2009
