NZTA reconsiders highway options through Warkworth

Work on the next two stages of State Highway 1 improvements at Warkworth – upgrades of the Hudson Road and Hill Street intersections – won’t start before autumn next year.

NZ Transport Agency’s state highways manager for Auckland Tommy Parker says there are a number of outstanding issues regarding both upgrades, and it makes sense that when those issues are resolved the two stages are developed as one.

Previous advice from NZTA had indicated that work on the estimated $4.5 million Hudson Road intersection would start before the end of this year, with a completion date of around mid-April next year.

Mr Parker says the outstanding issues include property purchases at Hudson Road, finalising the design of the improvements at both intersections, obtaining resource consents from local authorities, and the NZTA’s tendering process to find a successful contractor for the work.

“We are aware of the impact that the first stage of improvements at Woodcocks and Whitaker Roads has had on the community,” Mr Parker says. “We want to avoid a repeat of that by ensuring that we have everything in place before the contractors start their work after summer.

“We remain committed to the improvements. Growth in the west of Warkworth makes it difficult for people to cross over SH1 to the town and compete with the pressure of highway traffic heading to the eastern beaches so the upgrades are needed.”

Mr Parker says the NZTA hopes it will be able to show the community the indicative route for the Puhoi to Wellsford road of national significance before Christmas.

“The long term plan always included a bypass around Warkworth, but now the NZTA has the opportunity to develop the best coordinated approach for both road users and the community.”

The fourth stage of the improvements – McKinney Road/Valerie Close – is still subject to property purchase, designation and consent approval and construction work would not start until the end of next year. Work on the Woodcocks and Whitakers intersections is expected to be completed this month.

The Warkworth improvements are a partnership arrangement between the NZTA and the Rodney District Council.