Airport roading changes

The NZ Transport Agency is permanently closing access to the airport side of Wairakei Rd from Russley Rd.

The new road layout.

The closure is part of the Russley Rd Upgrade project and is likely to occur overnight tonight.

Drivers will still be able to exit Wairakei Rd onto Russley Rd from the east, heading towards the Memorial Ave intersection.  Drivers on Russley Rd heading south towards the airport will also be able to turn left onto Wairakei Rd. 

But there will be no direct access to the airport precinct area and Orchard Rd from Wairakei Rd as there is currently.

The change at Wairakei Rd is necessary for safety, given the closeness of the intersection to the Russley Rd/Memorial Ave airport interchange lanes.

The Harewood Rd roundabout is now completed and the underpass/shared path for cyclists and pedestrians is completed and in use. 

Final engineering work - removing traffic islands and the roundabout - at the Wairakei Rd intersection with Russley rd is likely to take place at weekends and off-peak hours in October. The roundabout is likely to be reduced to one lane during this time.