What's the best solution?

A proposal to extend State Highway 1 north from the Johnstone Hill tunnels to Wellsford, along a completely new route and for an estimated cost of $1.6 billion, has predictably drawn a kaleidoscope of opinions. While some say they would like to see the road built tomorrow, others say the NZTA’s business case justifies neither the cost nor the disruption to landholders en route. In this feature, Mahurangi Matters asked the following commentators for their points of view. Rodney MP Lockwood Smith was also asked for his views but he did not respond to the request ….

Agency offers extra roadshow ahead of submission deadline

The strong community response to the indicative route for the planned
Puhoi-to-Wellsford highway has prompted the NZ Transport Agency to arrange an additional information day in Warkworth to ensure people get every chance to learn about the project.

It will be held in the Warkworth Town Hall on Saturday, January 22, between 10am and 2pm, and it will display the same information as the earlier events to provide a final opportunity for people to review the indicative route before consultation closes on January 28.

Points of view from commentators

• Better alternatives available

   By Auckland Council transport committee chair Mike Lee
  
   

• NZTA misses the point

  By Campaign for Better Transport spokesperson Cameron Pitches
   

• Strategically important

  By Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Tony Collins
   

• Business case savings don't stack up

  By Warkworth-based transport planner Bevan Woodward
   

• The sooner the better

  By National Road Carriers executive director David Aitken
   

• Uneconomic and damaging

  By Greens transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes

Click here to view a 3D simulation of the proposed Puhoi to Warkworth route