By RNZ

Motorists are being warned to expect 40-minute queues when IKEA opens its first New Zealand store in Auckland next week, along with potential hour-long waits for car parks.

IKEA will open its doors at Sylvia Park on Thursday, and Auckland Transport and NZTA Waka Kotahi are encouraging road users to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.

“We expect the opening day and subsequent weeks or even months to draw big crowds to the Sylvia Park area, and for this to have a substantial effect on the transport network both locally and across Auckland,” Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC) manager Claire Howard said.

Travel times across the wider Auckland transport network were likely to be “substantially longer” than usual, she warned.

Traffic modelling showed that, in a “worst-case scenario”, there could be queues of more than 40 minutes to get off the motorway at Mt Wellington and waiting times of up to an hour to get into carparks at IKEA, she said.

“Surrounding streets in Mt Wellington will also be busy, with forecast delays of up to 40 minutes on Mt Wellington Highway in peak traffic.”

Auckland Transport warns of substantial delays across the network when IKEA opens on Thursday, advising motorists to plan ahead. Photo / Alyse Wright

ATOC – a joint Auckland Transport and NZTA venture for managing the network in real time - has been working with the retail giant to ensure its traffic management plan minimises the traffic impact as much as possible. It will be actively managing light signals and diverting traffic where possible as congestion levels increase.

“Like any popular event or destination that attracts a large crowd, it’s going to put pressure on the transport network,” Howard said.

Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time, check route and travel times, and travel outside peak hours if possible.

Congestion is expected to be at its worst during weekday peak hours and on Saturdays between 1pm and 4pm, particularly heading northbound from South Auckland towards Mt Wellington.

For IKEA shoppers who aren’t planning on buying large items, taking the train might be the best bet.

“It’s a 19-minute train ride from Waitematā station to Sylvia Park station, compared with expected travel times of more than an hour for the same journey by car, especially if you’re just window-shopping or able to get your purchases delivered,” Howard said.

Staff will be on the ground at Sylvia Park station to help direct rail travellers to the store.

- RNZ