Roading milestones

Two major Auckland roading projects reach milestones today with a fresh upgrade starting on a stretch of the Southern Motorway, and the completion of work on a vital airport link. Transport Minister Michael Wood has unveiled a new leg of construction on the Papakura to Drury South project, set to take five years. The improvements will see a third lane in each direction, wide shoulders for future bus lanes and a shared path along the western side to eventually link into a city-wide network.

It came as Wood also announced the completion of a $72 million upgrade to State Highway 20B, enabling quick electric bus trips to and from the airport and hailing the start of a rapid transport link between south and east Auckland.