The new clearway hours are:
- Southbound Saturday: Clearways will now operate from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
- Northbound Saturday: The start and end times move forward by one hour, starting at 10.30am and ending at 1.30pm.
NZ Transport Agency regional performance manager Mark Owen says the Mana Esplanade is a challenging section of highway to maintain smooth traffic flow, and by targeting the busiest times, the Transport Agency is aiming to help keep people moving so they spend less of their weekend stuck in traffic.
The clearways mean there is to be no parking in the kerbside lanes during the specified times. As well as the extended times, clearways also operate:
Southbound: Monday to Friday (other than public holidays) from 6.30am to 9.30am; and Sunday and Public Holidays, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
Northbound: Monday to Friday (other than public holidays), from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
The clearways have been in place since March 2012 when they replaced the T2 lane restrictions previously used on the stretch of road. An Environment Court ruling changed the designation to allow the clearways and set the hours of operation, review provisions and other conditions.