SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku

State Highway 16 is an important link for the local community, as well as providing resilience within the wider Upper North Island state highway network. Over 36,000 vehicles a day use the route between Brigham Creek and Kumeū, and over 15,000 vehicles are travelling between Huapai and Waimauku each day. Residential and business growth has increased and will continue to do so as the North West develops. This increases vehicle numbers and puts pressure on our network.

The project has been split into two stages. Stage one runs from Huapai to Waimauku and Stage two is between the Brigham Creek roundabout and Kumeū. We started construction on the section between Huapai and Waimauku where there are slightly less complexities. Work will progress on this section while we continue to engage with landowners about property acquisition and confirm the final design for Stage two.

The focus of this project is to improve safety and efficiency in the area which will improve the wider transport network’s effectiveness. Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency are investigating plans for the longer-term to address future growth, including in Auckland’s North West.

More about these long term plans

Key features of the improvements to State Highway 16 include:

Stage one: Huapai to Waimauku
Stage one: Huapai to Waimauku
- Installing a flush median to create separation between oncoming traffic.
- Installing roadside barriers to prevent drivers from leaving their lane, hitting something harder like trees, poles or ditches.
- Widening bridges that are too narrow.
- Creating a wider road shoulder so there’s more space for people who cycle.
- Right turning bays at Joye Adams Place and Fosters Road to provide a safe place for traffic to wait whilst turning and allow through traffic to continue flowing.
Close

Stage two: Brigham Creek to Kumeū
Stage two: Brigham Creek to Kumeū
- Adding extra lanes between Brigham Creek and Taupaki roundabout from two lanes to four lanes (two in each direction) to make travelling along SH16 more efficient.
- A new roundabout at the SH16/Coatesville Riverhead Highway intersection to help traffic flow better and make it safer to turn.
- Between Brigham Creek and Kumeū we are creating a dedicated shared path for people who walk and cycle.
Close

Project timeframes

Stage one: Huapai to Waimauku

Stage one: Huapai to Waimauku

The design for Stage one (Huapai to Waimauku) was completed in 2019. Following our submission for Notice of Requirement, there was an appeal to the Environment Court. The Environment Court hearing was held in August 2021, and in early November 2022 a decision was released. The decision was ruled in our favour. The construction contract was then awarded to Fulton Hogan in mid 2023 and work commenced in August 2023.

Updated timeframes are shown below.

Close

Stage two: Brigham Creek to Kumeū
Stage two: Brigham Creek to Kumeū

The NZTA Board has approved funding for the revised project costs for Stage 2 and the project will now proceed through to construction for this stage.

The project has been reviewed in light of Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 and the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

The key features for Stage 2 are as follows:
- Adding extra lanes between Brigham Creek and Taupaki roundabout from two lanes to four lanes (two in each direction) to make travelling along SH16 more efficient
- A new roundabout at the SH16/Coatesville Riverhead Highway intersection to help traffic flow better and make it safer to turn
- Between Brigham Creek and Kumeū we are creating a dedicated shared path for people who walk and cycle.
The project will be staged in 3 sections:
- Section 1 – Brigham Creek Roundabout to Coatesville Riverhead Highway Intersection
- Section 2 - Coatesville Riverhead Roundabout to Taupaki Roundabout
- Section 3 - Taupaki Roundabout to Kumeū
The below project map shows the location of these sections.

View larger map [PDF, 105 KB]

NZTA is currently completing surveys and ground investigation and has commenced landowner engagement on the project’s detailed design. Property acquisition will begin following this engagement. It is expected to take 2-3 years and will be mostly complete before construction commences. Construction timing for Stage 2 is estimated to take 3 years.

To move ahead with constructing the project, NZTA must have the necessary approvals in place and have secured all the required land. All resource consents required have been granted by Auckland Council. The Notice of Requirement process, which has been on hold with Auckland Council, has recommenced.

A guide to notice of requirement [PDF, 3.5 MB]
Close

Programme of works

SH16 temporary closure - 8-10 November

To further enhance safety along Stage 1 of the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku improvements project area, we’re upgrading or repairing utilities and infrastructure.

A large stormwater culvert needs to be replaced between Trigg Road and Foster Road on SH16. The work includes digging a 4m deep trench to lay pipes across the state highway. These changes are designed to improve both infrastructure and safety in the long term.

To complete the works as quickly as possible, minimising disruption for residents and road users, we’ll be staging a short term road closure using multiple crews working non-stop throughout the closure period. We’ve timed the road closure for the period of the week with the lowest vehicles per day.

Whilst this work is completed, SH16 will be temporarily closed between Trigg Road and Foster Road from 7:00pm Saturday 8 November to 5:00am Monday 10 November 2025. A detour will be in place via Trigg Road heading south-west and Foster Road heading north. Please see detour map below.

As Auckland’s weather can be unpredictable, we have set Saturday 22 November to Monday 24 November as contingency dates if the work cannot take place on the planned dates.

Should we need to postpone the works, we’ll provide updates on our webpage, on local VMS and via e-text to residents and subscribers.

View larger/downloadable map [JPG, 2.9 MB]
Close