New plans to improve road safety, access, and capacity

 

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has released plans for the Whangarei to Te Hana transport corridor to improve safety and resilience in the short and medium term as well as planning now for future population growth.

The Transport Agency has re-evaluated plans for the corridor to ensure they align with new priorities set out in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.

This work is now complete and supports the government’s vision for a safer transport network free of death and injury, accessible and affordable transport, value for money and reduced emissions.

The NZTA General Manager, System Design and Delivery, Brett Gliddon, says the plans will deliver short term safety improvements and more reliable access on the existing state highway while continuing to plan and protect land for a new route in the long term.

“This programme will make it easier for people to access the port and Auckland and will also give people more access to a range of choices including public transport, walking and cycling. It provides for two separate routes across the wider corridor which will improve resilience and provide greater choice.”

Initially short-term safety improvements such as roadside barriers, median barriers, centre line widening and improved road marking will be made between Whangarei and Port Marsden Highway (SH15) to make it safer.

“Along with the existing road, this will create four lanes of capacity. Land will be designated for a future transport corridor to be built on a better alignment and to the best safety standards. The construction timing and the form of the new route will depend on growth and funding priorities across the rest of the country.”

Safety improvements are planned for the existing road between Port Marsden Highway (SH15) and Te Hana which will include side barriers, median barriers, centre lane widening and intersection upgrades.

To improve resilience existing alternative routes around the Brynderwyn Hills will be upgraded.

Safety improvements are already underway through Dome Valley and work will continue to protect a new future route between Warkworth and Wellsford giving the ability to construct when the timing is right, though may be at least ten years away.