Central Connector

Introduction | Works update | Central Connector route | Grafton Bridge | Central Connector design plans | Streetscape improvements  | Changes to key intersections | Stay informed

Works update

In order to minimise disruption along the route, all work on the Central Connector will be implemented in key stages. The map below highlights the key stages in which work will be carried out.

 On 8 April, work began on Anzac Avenue (from the bottom end heading uphill), Customs Street and Beach Road.

On 27 May, work began on Park Road from the end of Grafton Bridge heading past the Auckland City Hospital towards Khyber Pass Road. The work site will be set up with special safety barriers and pedestrian walkways.

Work began on Upper Symonds Street, near the University of Auckland, on 29 September.

Strengthening and restoration work will be starting on Grafton Bridge on 25 October. The bridge will be closed to all traffic, excluding cyclist and pedestrians, until its completion in early 2010.

 Work on Anzac Avenue, Beach Road and Customs Street is due for completion ahead of schedule in November 2008.

Work on Park Road is due for completion in September 2009.

Strengthening and restoration work on Grafton Bridge will be completed in early 2010.

The Central Connector project is due for completion in early 2010.

 Work will be carried out between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 5 pm Saturday. There will also be some work overnight.

The work in the Anzac Avenue, Park Road and Symonds Street areas will involve improving pedestrian crossings and widening the roads for bus lanes. It is important to note that there will be no parking available on both sides of the road in all areas where work is being carried out.

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 in the Anzac Avenue all lanes will remain open to traffic while on Park Road two of the four lanes will remain open. There will be no parking in the work areas on Anzac Avenue or Park Road for the duration of work in these areas.

Work on Grafton Bridge

The work will involve 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.

Please continue to check the website for further updates as work proceeds along the route.

Construction timeline
	April 2008 - Works starts on Anzac Avenue, Beach Road and Customs Street
	May 2008 - Word starts on Park Road
	November 2008 - Word starts on Grafton Bridge
	December 2008 - Work ends on Anzac Avenue, Beach Road and Customers Street
	December 2008 - Work starts on Symonds Street near The University of Auckland.
	September 2009 - Work ends on Park Road
	June 2009 - Work ends on Symonds Street
	June 2009 - Work starts on Upper Symonds Street
	December 2009 - Work ends on Upper Symonds Street
	Early 2010 - Work ends on Grafton Bridge
	Early 2010 - Central Connector becomes operational