Highway stretches out

LATEST: THE proposed $1.3 billion four-lane highway from Puhoi to Wellsford over the next 10 years could run west of State Highway 1 all the way to Warkworth.

That's according to the indicative first stage 18km Puhoi-Warkworth route released yesterday by the NZ Transport Agency.

The proposed new route crosses 55 private properties from the Johnstone Hill tunnels at Puhoi to near Kaipara Flats Rd just north of Warkworth.

People have until January 28 to provide feedback.

The contentious Puhoi/Mahuhrangi West access is still undecided. A decision on this access needs further work, including understanding the future for the area as set out in the Auckland spatial plan  expected to be completed by the end of next year, the agency says.

''We are still in the investigation phase and there is still plenty of time before a decision is required,'' it says.

The agency says the proposed route is in the best overall position but that the precise path may change following community submissions and further technical studies.

It is based on seven months of specialist work assessing environmental, social and engineering inputs, including extensive feedback from the first round of consultation in June and July.

The proposed highway is part of the Puhoi to Wellsford road of national significance which will provide better access and route security on SH1 between Auckland and Northland.

While work can now be advanced between Puhoi and Warkworth, the terrain and geology through the Dome Valley and around Wellsford is very difficult for road building with a number of geological challenges, NZTA Auckland/Northland regional director Stephen Town says.

These involve steep and unstable ground around the Dome Valley. Wellsford, while flatter, also has stability issues which need further investigation, he says.

''It is important we have a good understanding of this before we select an indicative route for this section and do more work to develop the best value-for-money solution for this section,'' Mr Town says.

Four public information days will be held on November 20 at  Warkworth Primary School, Hill St, 10am to 2pm, November 23 at the Old Masonic Hall, Baxter St, Warkworth, 4pm to 7.30pm, 25 November at the Puhoi Sports Club, Puhoi Domain, 3.30pm to 7.30pm, and November 28 at  Warkworth Primary School, 10am to 2pm.

The information days include a 3D simulation of how the route would look and a video outlining the development process.

Visit nzta.govt.nz/network/projects/puhoi-to-wellsford/ for information.
                                                         
Traffic will travel in and out of Warkworth from the north through a tie-in to the existing SH1 with improvements underway still required to help with the Hill St intersection performance until the new highway is done.
Then some further minor upgrades will help direct changed traffic flows, with traffic to eastern beaches turning left.
This sees access still close to Warkworth town centre but also allows for a potential Matakana link road to the eastern beaches. It also takes pressure off the notorious Hill St intersection by shifting away through-traffic.
Access to the Woodcocks Rd industrial and commercial areas in Warkworth would come via the Auckland Council's planned western collector route. It could be enhanced with a potential new link road from the bypass to Hudson Rd, avoiding traffic increases on Woodcocks Rd by Mahurangi College and on Hill St by the Warkworth Primary School.
''This entire route remains our focus, and we want to develop it as quickly as possible,'' Mr Town says. ''More detailed investigations will be carried out before a solution is produced for the section of the proposed highway further north to Wellsford.''
The NZTA has prepared maps for landowners affected by the indicative route, giving a rough indication of how much land might be involved. The agency doesn't expect to buy any land until a route has been confirmed.

- © Fairfax NZ News