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The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is applying for resource consent for the Warkworth to Te Hana motorway next month, even though construction of the road is not currently a top Government priority.
During a recent visit to Mahurangi, finance minister Grant Robertson MP said the current focus was on road safety improvements, such as those taking place in the Dome Valley, but the Wellsford motorway remained on the cards.
“It’s still there. The stage NZTA is at is route designation and land purchasing, so the work goes on to that extent,” he said.
“Their estimates mean that it’s in the latter part of their work programme, and I don’t think there’s a specific date put on it, but it continues to be there.”
The NZTA said it had completed the necessary engineering design, site investigations, transport planning and technical assessments for a proposed designation of land to be put in place.
Further details will be announced once Auckland Council has accepted the application.
NZTA is preparing a business case for the project, citing benefits including reduced traffic in Wellsford, removal of nearly 1000 heavy vehicles from SH1 per day and improved safety.
The Warkworth to Wellsford and Te Hana project is the second stage of Ara Tūhono Pūhoi to Wellsford. Stage one, between Pūhoi and Warkworth, is due to be finished late next year
For more info, see nzta.govt.nz/projects
