Five stages of the project from 2010 to 2022
NZTA will seek to accelerate the programme wherever possible.
1. Route investigation and community consultation
Since 2010 the NZTA, working with engineering and environmental consultancy Sinclair Knight Mertz (SKM), has been undertaking a detailed study of the route. This study considers the full range of issues associated with building the road from both technical and community viewpoints.
The topics being investigated include:
- location and form of road improvements
- social impacts such as noise, air quality and the effect on the local community
- tangata whenua and the cultural impacts of potential routes
- property impacts
- geotechnical and topography considerations
- ecological impacts
- effect on historic areas
- connections to the local roading network
- walking and cycling access
- potential construction staging of the work
- cost of the route
- constructability
- opportunities for acceleration of the project including tolling of the routes.
There was two phases of consultation in this stage. The first phase of consultation associated with route investigation phase was carried out between 21 June and 16 August 2010. A large amount of feedback was received and a map summarising feedback (PDF, 348KB) was prepared.
The second phase of consultation took place between 16 November 2010 and 28 January 2011 with the release of the indicative route. Again a large amount of feedback was received and this was summarised in newsletter 5.
The consultation process has finished for the Puhoi to Warkworth section of the route.
2. Preparing reports for consent
We have now completed the investigation phase and developed a preferred option for the Puhoi to Warkworth route. During the next 12-18 months we will develop detailed reports on the impacts and form of the route. These reports will support the Notice of Requirement application, resource management and other consents to build the road.
3. Consent hearing process
NZTA will apply for notices of requirement and resource consents for a preferred route. The applications will be publically notified and everyone will have the opportunity to lodge a submission to the decion-making body. Once the hearing process is complete a decision will be issued to NZTA. Once the appeals period closes, or if there are appeals these are resolved, the NZTA will then be able to construct the new route.
4. Preliminary design
This stage is when NZTA prepares the design brief based on the designation and consent conditions so that contractors are able to tender for the project.
5. Detailed design and construction
The final phase is where you will see work out on the road. Detailed engineering plans are drawn up and contractors are able to start work. This work may be done in stages so sections can be constructed and opened at different times and as funding becomes available.
Puhoi to Warkworth preferred route.
