My Account
See the full map (PDF)
The proposed route for the Warkworth to Wellsford leg of the northern motorway has been released.
The route gives a wide berth to Wellsford and Te Hana, reconnecting with the existing State Highway near Vipond Road, north of Mangawha Road.
Property owners who will potentially be affected were notified early this month, ahead of a series of public information days starting this week.
The new motorway will be separate from the existing State Highway 1, and will run to the west of Dome Forest.
The new section is the second stage of the Ara Tūhono Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance, and will join the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway near Kaipara Flats Road.
The proposed route follows the western side of the Dome Valley to the Hoteo River where it will cross eastwards over the existing SH1 to an interchange proposed at Wayby Valley Road, south of Wellsford. Another motorway interchange is proposed near Mangawhai Road, with the motorway then meeting the existing State Highway 1, north of Vipond Road.
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Northland director Ernst Zollner says removing sharp bends, providing better passing opportunities and a dual carriageway to separate north and southbound traffic will improve safety, and is predicted to reduce the fatal and serious injury crash rate by 80 per cent through this area.
NZTA says the natural environment through the Dome Valley is susceptible to flooding, slips and ongoing repairs. The new motorway location, to the west of the Dome Forest, will provide an alternate route between Northland and Auckland.
“Once the motorway is built, travel will also be safer for local road users because 90 per cent of regional traffic, especially heavy traffic, can avoid townships, making their main streets safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists,” Mr Zollner said.
NZTA is seeking public feedback on the indicative route and hopes to proceed to the consenting and route protection stage by next year.
“Protecting the route is an important first step towards improving the Auckland to Whangarei corridor. The motorway construction decisions will be made as part of national and regional land transport plans.”
More information will be available on the NZTA website from February 18. Comments and feedback can be made at nzta.govt.nz/warkworth-wellsford and public information days.
Warkworth Masonic Hall
Baxter Street, Warkworth
Saturday 18 Feb 11-3pm
Wellsford District Community Centre
Matheson Road, Wellsford
Tuesday 21 Feb 3-7pm
Warkworth Masonic Hall
Baxter Street, Warkworth
Thursday 23 Feb 3-7pm
Wellsford District Community Centre
Matheson Road, Wellsford
Saturday 25 Feb 11-3pm
Te Hana Hall
Whakapirau Road, Te Hana
Tuesday 28 Feb 3-7pm
