The New Zealand Transport Agency has cut the number of houses that will need to be removed when the Waterview section of Auckland's western motorway is built.
Originally, 365 houses were going to be affected by the construction of the combined surface/tunnel route, announced in May, but that number has been reduced to 205.
The agency, which already owns 140 of the houses, says design improvements have been made to the plans on the basis of further testing in the area, allowing more of the road to be put underground - although 27 homes not previously affected are now in the road's path.
Most properties will lose land from the rear, although three houses will need to be removed.
The agency says the revised plans will significantly reduce disruption to residents and commuters on Great North Road.
Duncan McDonald, the chair of the Avondale Community Board, says the tests should have been done earlier, but the residents feel they have been listened to and are happy with the changes.
