NZ Roads: Motorway extension step closer to opening
February 4th, 2010
Construction of the controversial SH1 motorway extension between Puhoi and Wellsford dubbed by some “The Holiday Highway” is a step closer to starting with the Govt giving the project the green light. NZ Transport Agency is now firming up plans for the $1.38bn four-lane motorway which will extend Auckland’s northern motorway by another 38km and shave up to 15 minutes off the travel time compared with driving the existing route.
The first section will link the existing Northern Gateway toll road near Puhoi to just north of Warkworth and is expected to take nine years to construct. Stage two will run parallel to Wellsford’s northern outskirts but is likely to take longer due to what Transport Minister Steven Joyce describes as the greater “challenges” associated with the second stage of the project. Construction of Puhoi to Warkworth is expected to start mid-2013 and be completed by 2019 with construction of the Warkworth to Wellsford section from 2020 onwards. No completion date has been set.
Joyce says the project is very important. “The Puhoi to Wellsford corridor has been identified as one of our most essential state highway routes to reduce congestion, improve safety and support economic growth in the Auckland and Northland regions.” The NZTA is presently investigating options for the two sections of the road. It will be followed by a comprehensive public engagement process. Both sections will be called in under the Resource Management Act to speed the planning and construction process.
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