NZTA designates northern route

Three information days will be held soon to update the public on the proposed Warkworth to Te Hana motorway project.

Although construction is still at least 10 years away, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is continuing work to protect a new future route.

Regional relationships director Steve Mutton says this means NZTA will still have the ability to construct in these designations when the timing is right.

A total of $19 million, excluding property purchases, has been spent on this second section of the Ara Tūhono Pūhoi to Wellsford project since 2009.

There are an estimated 90 properties along the route that will be affected.

Mr Mutton says NZTA generally seeks to acquire land three years before construction starts.

“As this is likely to be at least 10 years away, there is no requirement to initiate property purchase at this time,” Mr Mutton says. “The majority of properties potentially affected by the project have partial land impact, meaning that only a portion of the property is within proposed designation boundaries.

“Some properties (currently 13) have been purchased under the Advance Purchase Policy, where the landowner has approached NZTA for early purchase.

“The proposed designation boundary lines are subject to change during the consenting phase, so we’re unable to confirm the exact land requirements for properties until there is a confirmed designation.”

Mr Mutton says when designation is in place and a construction start is imminent, NZTA will seek to acquire all land required for construction, operation and maintenance of the future state highway.

NZTA plans to lodge an application for designation and consents later this year.

As a result of further technical assessment and public consultation, there have been changes to what was presented in early 2017, including a new location where the new route will connect into SH1 north of Te Hana, and a shift in the tunnel alignment north of Warkworth. The design of the proposed Warkworth interchange has also changed.

The Warkworth to Te Hana corridor will join the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway near Woodcocks Road. It will then travel on the western side of the Dome Valley until it reaches the Hoteo River, where it will cross eastwards over the existing SH1 to an interchange proposed at Wayby Valley Road. Another interchange is proposed near Mangawhai Road, with the corridor then meeting the existing State Highway 1, north of Waimanu Road.

A map of the indicative alignment is available at nzta.govt.nz/warkworth-wellsford