Frequently asked questions
1. Why was the project needed?
This project was primarily needed to improve the safety on this section of State Highway 2. The Mangatawhiri Deviation is one component of the overall plan to improve safety on this state highway. Other projects include the Heavens Passing Lanes, which were completed late in 2006, and the Maramarua Deviation.
2. Why was the decision made to build a two lane highway with passing lanes?
Transit New Zealand aims to build and operate a state highway system that meets the needs of road users and communities and contributes to economic development and growth.
Transit must ensure that what funding it receives is spent to best effect. The Transit board made a decision to treat State Highway 1 and State Highway 29 as the main route between Auckland and Hamilton and then onto Tauranga and so its long-term strategy is to prioritise investment in upgrading capacity and efficiency on these routes.
However, Transit acknowledges that State Highway 2 plays an important function as a secondary regional route. There will always be a role for State Highway 2 connecting Auckland to the Coromandel, East Waikato and also to the Bay of Plenty, but this route is more likely to become a light vehicle/tourist route over time rather than be significantly improved to cope with the anticipated interregional growth in long haul freight traffic.
For these reasons it was decided that projects to upgrade State Highway 2 would improve safety but the highway would remain predominantly two lane with an increased number of passing lanes to provide safe passing opportunities.
3. Why didn’t we just fix/widen the existing road?
This section of State Highway 2 travels through the Mangatawhiri village, intersects with a number of local roads and has a number of tight curves that need to be removed. It is simply not possible to remove these intersections and curves and stay on the current state highway alignment. The Mangatawhiri Deviation bypasses this section of road and the new grade separated intersections; this will improve safety for traffic wanting to cross or join the highway.
4. How much did the project cost? Where was the funding from?
Transit has been funded $45.9M through the National Land Transport Fund administered by Land Transport New Zealand for this project.
5. Does the new road cater for cyclists and pedestrians?
Although the new road does not have specific facilities other than a normal state highway to directly cater for pedestrians or cyclists, the existing state highway remains in place to serve the Mangatawhiri village. As this road does not carry the high volumes of traffic, it will be a safer route for local pedestrians and cyclists. Signs will indicate this as the preferred route for pedestrians and cyclists.
6. What happened to the exisiting state highway?
The existing state highway has remained in place to form a local road connection, removing the need for local traffic to use the new highway.
7. What compensation was offered to landowners and occupiers whose land is being used?
Compensation under the Public Works Act for directly affected landowners and occupiers directly affected by the works has been agreed between the landowner/occupier concerned and the Crown.
8. How does the Mangatawhiri Deviation impact on local travel?
- To drive from Jeffs Road to the Coromandel
The most direct route would be to travel eastwards on the existing state highway and join the new highway at the link road near the Golf Road underpass. - To drive from the Castle Café to Auckland
The most direct route would be to travel westwards on the existing highway to Koheroa Road, then over the new Koheroa Road bridge and westwards on the new highway via the on ramp. - To drive from Koheroa Road or Mangatawhiri village to the Maramarua Golf Course
The most direct route would be to travel eastwards on the existing highway and via the Golf Road underpass to the roundabout and then left on to the access road to the golf course. - To drive to the golf club from Auckland The preferred route would be to take the left off ramp near the Mangatawhiri Stream bridge and follow the existing highway to the Golf Road underpass and then take the golf course access road to the club. From Tauranga traffic heading to the golf course can simply take the westbound off ramp adjacent to the golf course and at the roundabout turn left on to the golf course access road.
- To drive from the golf club to Mangatawhiri and Auckland
Traffic would use Golf Road and then travel on the existing highway through Mangatawhiri village to Koheroa Road and then westwards on the new highway via the on ramp at Koheroa Road. Traffic travelling to Tauranga from the golf course would use the Golf Road underpass and then turn right on to the existing highway and right again on to the link road and then turn left on to the new highway.
