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A NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) proposal to make the new Puhoi to Warkworth motorway a toll road has so far got a firm thumbs down from the One Warkworth Business Association.
One Warkworth chair Chris Murphy says members’ views are currently being sought via the association’s newsletter and website, and indications are that they oppose any tolling
He says the toll amounts to an additional tax on local people.
“When you ask the question, ‘Are other parts of the country taxed in the same way?’ the answer is ‘no’ they are not. Where is the equity there?”
Mr Murphy says as far as he is aware there are only two similarly tolled roads – the Northern Gateway toll road on State Highway 1 through the Johnstones Hill tunnels, and another in Tauranga.
Mr Murphy says the presence of tolls will make the new road less attractive to users and many may choose to stick with the old road to Puhoi.
He says this is especially true given the NZTA appears to be dragging its heels on a proposed southern interchange, which would connect the southern part of Warkworth to the new Puhoi to Warkworth motorway.
One Warkworth has pressed the NZTA to vary the terms of the construction contract to allow “enabling works” for such an interchange, but says the response has been that the existing contract cannot be changed.
Mr Murphy says it may well be quicker for motorists travelling from the south of Warkworth to use the old road rather than head north through the notoriously clogged Hill Street intersection to access the new motorway.
An NZTA brochure on the proposed tolling says every new state highway in New Zealand is assessed to see if it meets the criteria to be tolled.
“In many cases tolling helps us to build roads earlier than we would have otherwise,” the brochure says.
It adds that revenue collected from the toll will be used to ensure the new motorway remains safe and well maintained and contribute to repaying contractor Northern Express Group for financing and building the road.
The proposed toll and method of payment would mirror the Northern Gateway toll road, which is currently $2.40 for light vehicles and $4.80 for heavy vehicles.
In addition to the toll road, NZTA is simultaneously consulting on proposed lower speed limits on State Highway 1 between Sheepworld and Puhoi, to make the road safer for road users.
The public consultation closes on June 15. Details of the consultation can be found online at nzta.govt.nz/about-us/consultations
