Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Warkworth Stage 1 project?
- Why is the project needed?
- How much will the project cost? Where is the funding from?
- What is the Western Collector?
- What consultation has taken place with the community?
- What is the project timeframe?
- Will there be provisions for cyclists and pedestrians?
- What about the by-pass?
- Will access to Kowhai Reserve be restricted?
- Will queuing at the Matakana/Sandspit signalised intersection prevent traffic turning right from Melwood Drive onto Matakana Road?
- Is there any provision for traffic turning right in and out of Shoesmith Street
1. What is the Warkworth Stage 1 project?
Transit New Zealand and Rodney District Council are working together to improve safety and efficiency on State Highway One (SH1) in Warkworth to reduce congestion and support the region’s growth. The project includes proposed improvements to five intersections at Hudson Road and SH1, Hill Street and SH1, Woodcocks Road and SH1, Whitaker Road and SH1, McKinney Road and SH1.
2. Why is the project needed?
The intersections need to be improved to meet the needs of the Warkworth community, SH1 users and through traffic and people heading to and from the eastern beaches. The improvements are a high priority because as the region grows, more vehicles will put more pressure on the road network.
3. How much will the project cost? Where is the funding from?
The project will cost in the region of $20M for the SH and related local road works. Under a cost sharing agreement, NZTA will fund state highway components and Rodney will construct the Western Collector Route and fund the local roading elements adjacent to SH1.
4. What is the Western Collector Route?
The Western Collector Route is a new road proposed by Rodney District Council, that will link McKinney Road and Hudson Road to cater for local traffic and service new developments planned west of SH1.
5. What consultation has taken place with the community?
Since the project commencement the following communications have been undertaken with the community:
- Two community information days in August 2007 ;
- Two project updates on RDC FTN News ;
- Four newsletters inserted into the Rodney Times and forwarded to key stakeholders;
- Various press releases and liaison with the Rodney Times ;
- Liaison with the Local Matters Newspaper ;
- Various meetings with the community and Warkworth Liaison Group;
- Meetings and correspondence with Warkworth Kindergarten, Warkworth Primary School and Mahurangi College ;
- A number of one to one meetings with residents as requested ;
- Liaison with local Iwi Groups ; and
- Regular response to e-mails and letters as received
6. What is the project timeframe?
Works are planned to take place between Woodcocks Road and Whitaker Road in early 2009.
The remaining work is planned for completion by 2012 in conjunction with Rodney’s proposed Western Collector Route and NZTA’s commitments to RDC.
7. Will there be provisions for cyclists and pedestrians?
Yes. As part of this project Transit and Rodney want to improve walking and cycling conditions across and alongside State Highway One.
Pedestrian and cycling opportunities will also be developed as part of the project.
8. What about the by-pass?
With regard to the construction of a full bypass improvements are needed through Warkworth whether a bypass is built or not. Current forecasts predict that traffic on the SH1 through Warkworth will increase by 110% between 2006 and 2021 linked to general traffic growth and a increase in both regional and local development. On its own, a bypass will not solve future congestion in Warkworth, because of the rate of growth in both Warkworth and the Eastern beaches which would still attract vehicles along this route regardless of whether a bypass is in place.
However, it is acknowledged that a bypass is required at some point in the future and NZTA is currently developing a long-term strategy for the lower SH1/SH16 that will look at what improvements the routes require through to 2050 including a future Warkworth bypass.
9. Will access to Kowhai Reserve be restricted?
Transit is working with Rodney District Council’s Park Department to investigate access to Kowhai Reserve. Transit will ensure that access to this important site is not compromised by any improvements made to the intersection.
10. Will queuing at the Matakana/Sandspit signalised intersection prevent traffic turning right from Melwood Drive onto Matakana Road?
Solutions are currently being investigated to assist traffic turning right from Melwood Drive if queuing extends further than this intersection.
11. Is there any provision for traffic turning right in and out of Shoesmith Street
A flush-median is proposed adjacent to Shoesmith Street to assist vehicles making these movements.
