A bridge dubbed the gateway to Auckland will open later this year, several months ahead of schedule.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today the Manukau Harbour crossing was part of the western ring route around Auckland and was originally to have been opened in time for the Rugby World Cup next year.
That timetable was revised and the opening date was set for the end of November but Mr Joyce said today it would be opened to traffic by August 31.
The bridge was a major route to the airport and a gateway to Auckland, said Mr Joyce.
It would provide "relief for motorists of all types held up in the daily congestion grind either to and from the airport or from south to west Auckland and back the other way."
He said the trips would be faster and provide major financial benefits to businesses.
The new bridge is part of a $230 million project to build a second bridge beside the existing bridge and build new motorways.
Once completed the Western Ring Route would offer an alternative to State Highway 1 between Manukau City and Albany.
The bridge and new motorways are being built by the Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance, consisting of the NZ Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, Beca Infrastructure and Higgins Contractors.
The new bridge will have four southbound traffic lanes and a bus shoulder lane while the existing bridge will carry four northbound traffic lanes and a bus shoulder lane.
The foundations of the bridge were strong enough to carry a low-level rail link, said the New Zealand Transport Agency.
