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The Northern motorway on and off ramps at Millwater opened last week, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion on the local network.
The State Highway 1 interchange, between the Silverdale and Orewa exits, provides direct access to Millwater, Wainui Road and the future commercial area at Highgate.
About 16,000 vehicles are predicted to use the interchange every day by 2021, and more than 4500 people are expected to be employed in the Highgate Business Park by 2025.
The interchange includes a northbound off ramp on SH1, which links to Wainui Road and circles across the overbridge to Millwater and Highgate, an upgrade of Wainui Road including two new roundabouts, widening of the Millwater Parkway from Bankside Road to the overbridge, and a southbound on ramp to SH1 from Millwater Parkway.
Millwater Parkway residents who attended the opening said they were looking forward to a reduction in traffic and construction.
Les and Coral Nordstrand were among the first residents in the development three years ago and say the growth and construction in the area has been rapid. It will only take them a minute to get onto the motorway now, instead of having to drive to Orewa or Silverdale.
Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member Janet Fitzgerald said the new interchange would hopefully help reduce congestion in Silverdale.
The interchange was a requirement of the original consents issued to the developers by the former Rodney District Council when the subdivision and business park were proposed. Millwater developer WFH Properties and Highgate collaborated on the project. Construction was by Ross Reid Contractors, Woods and Fulton Hogan. Work began 15 months ago.
The project was budgeted to cost $16.9 million, but geotechnical conditions, weather and traffic controls pushed this out to $17.2 million.
The NZ Transport Agency worked with the developers and Auckland Transport in the planning and design of the ramps and road connections as well as ensuring they complied with standards. The Transport Agency is responsible for operation and maintenance. Full ownership of the interchange will be handed over to the Transport Agency in 12 months.
