People in south Auckland are getting a chance to find out more about improvements to the Southern Motorway ahead of construction beginning early next year.

In late November and early December, the NZ Transport Agency will be at markets, sports grounds, service stations and shops sharing information on the SH1 Papakura to Drury South project.

The Papakura to Drury South project will improve travel reliability and support growth and economic prosperity in the south.

It will improve transport choices with a new walking and cycling path, extra lanes with potential use for high occupancy vehicles and/or freight, wide road shoulders for future public transport and improved local road connections

There will also be improvements made at Papakura and Drury interchanges (the latter to allow for electrification of the adjacent rail line) and a new interchange built at Drury South.

A strong environmental focus for the project includes treating 100% of stormwater runoff from the highway and raising other bridges to address potential flooding issues.

NZTA senior manager project delivery Andrew Thackwray says the project will extend the recent motorway improvements between Manukau and Papakura, supporting significant residential and employment growth.

“This project is part of the $2.39 billion of transport improvements in southern Auckland that NZTA and KiwiRail will begin constructing within the next three years as part of the government‘s New Zealand Upgrade Programme. Other improvements will include Mill Road, new rail passenger stations for Drury and Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification.

“The Papakura to Drury South project will improve safety and journey reliability along State Highway 1, as well as provide the community with a safe, new connection for walking and cycling.”

Construction on the first stage between Papakura and the Drury motorway service centre is expected to begin in early 2021. Consents for the next stage are expected to be lodged about the same time.

In the meantime, the project is hosting four information days in the neighbouring communities for people to meet and talk with the Papakura to Drury South project team to learn more about these coming improvements to SH1.

• Saturday 28 November, 7am to 12pm, Pukekohe Farmer‘s Market (7 Massey Avenue car park, Pukekohe)

• Saturday 28 November, 9am to 12pm, outside Drury Lotto & Superette (234 Great South Road, Drury)

• Sunday 29 November, 8am to 2pm, Pokeno Market (44 Great South Road, Pokeno)

• Saturday 5 December, 9am to 1pm, Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini (outside the Netball Centre, 90 Walters Road, Takanini).