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NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says discussions with landowners and further investigations have helped refine the proposed designation footprint for the Brynderwyn Hills alternative route.
NZTA has now lodged applications for statutory approvals for the Northland Corridor Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills section under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
“Pushing on with route protection will give landowners more certainty, support future planning, and enable a flexible delivery pipeline for the full corridor between Te Hana and Whangārei,” Programme Director Derek Robertson says.
According to an NZTA spokesperson, the process has reduced the number of affected landowners from 99 to 75 compared with the original preferred route.
“The completion of and discussion with landowners has helped us to refine the preferred route into the proposed designation for the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills section,” the spokesperson says.
“We’ve looked to narrow the route as much as possible while leaving enough space for future design flexibility and environmental mitigations, such as supporting stormwater infrastructure and replacement planting.”
NZTA says efforts were also made to minimise crossings of the existing State Highway 1 route to reduce impacts on the road network during future construction.
“There are still places the road could go within the proposed designation. The design will continue to be developed over the coming years as the project progresses.”
NZTA says there is currently no construction funding in place for the Brynderwyn Hills alternative section, and property acquisition funding has not yet been sought.
“This means landowners can continue to use their properties as they do now.”
According to the spokesperson, NZTA normally only seeks to acquire land when it is required for works, generally around two years before construction starts.
“The Public Works Act governs this process. It is always our preference to reach agreement with affected landowners whose property we require for our projects.”
Te Hana to Port Marsden, including the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills, is one of the three Roads of National Significance projects that make up the Northland Corridor.
