Penlink four-laning parked by government

Hopes that the two-lane O Mahurangi Penlink highway, currently under construction, could be four-laned from the start have been dashed by the news that the National-led government does not have the money for the upgrade.

The previous government, which got the project underway, elected for two lanes, future-proofed along the route (and Weiti River bridge) for four lanes. The extra lane in each direction would enable dedicated bus lanes.

Hopes were raised with the change in government that the extra lanes could be brought in early, as one of Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell’s campaign promises was to four-lane the road and also to revisit the decision to toll it, made by former Transport Minister Michael Wood.

Physical work on the road began in January last year, and speaking the morning after the election, Mitchell said with O Mahurangi Penlink already under construction, those changes were top of his priority list.

The decision has sat with Transport Minister Simeon Brown for four months.

Last week, Mitchell said that because of the dire fiscal situation, Penlink upgrades had been put on hold.

In a press release, Brown said when he became Minister of Transport, he was advised of a funding gap of up to $1.5 billion in the previous government’s NZ Upgrade Programme, which included O Mahurangi Penlink.

However, Mitchell said the government remained committed to four-laning, “when the country can afford it”. 

He said the Minister had sought more advice and options around how the upgrade could be delivered but can give no further details at present.

No decision has been made on the tolling.

Completion of O Mahurangi Penlink is estimated to be in December, 2026.

How to widen Weiti Bridge 
Last month, concrete was poured for the first of four very large pylon piles. The piles are for the first support column of the O Mahurangi Penlink bridge across the Weiti River.  The bridge will be constructed as two lanes, with one shared (cycling, walking) path and space on both sides of the road to allow for breakdowns. Widening the bridge to four lanes would involve moving the shared user path to a clip on, which Waka Kotahi NZTA says would provide enough space for two lanes of general traffic and two bus shoulders.