Due to the geological challenges of the project area, the NZTA has separated the new highway project between Northland and Auckland into two separate sections to allow the route between Puhoi and Warkworth to continue while further investigations continue further north:
Puhoi to Warkworth
Consultation was undertaken on an Indicative Route from 16 November 2010 to 28 January 2011.
The feedback is summarised in Newsletter 5.
Warkworth to Wellsford
Due to the geological and geotechnical challenges within Dome Valley and surrounding Wellsford the NZTA needs more time to investigate the best value for money solution in this area. The project team needs to develop a complete picture of the area and find the best solution for the state highway network.
This area will be consulted on separately in the future.
Benefits
The road of national significance Puhoi to Wellsford has a strategic role connecting the Auckland and Northland regions, supporting future regional economic growth, improving the safety of the route, and making journey times more reliable.
Objectives
Four objectives, which have been endorsed by the Transport Minister, guide the development of the Puhoi to Wellsford project. These objectives reflect the greater focus on economic development set out in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Planning (2009). The objectives are:
- To enhance inter-regional and national economic growth and productivity;
- To improve movement of freight and people between Auckland and Northland;
- To improve the connectivity between the medium to long term growth areas in the northern Rodney area;
- To improve the reliability of transport network through a more robust and safer route between Auckland and Northland.
Other benefits include reducing congestion during peak periods, and improving economic development and tourism opportunities in Northland.
Timeline
Starting in 2010 the project involves five stage running from investigation to construction. The project is expected to be completed by 2022.
