Plan ahead to avoid Warkworth congestion during busyAnniversary Weekend

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The NZ Transport Agency says congestion will be heavy on SH1 around Warkworth during Auckland Anniversary Weekend and the Transport Agency advises people to plan ahead to avoid delays.

The NZ Transport Agency says congestion will be heavy on SH1 around Warkworth during  Auckland Anniversary Weekend  and the Transport Agency advises people to plan ahead to avoid delays.

"We know that there is a bottleneck Warkworth and the NZTA is working now to upgrade intersections on SH1 through the town to improve traffic flows," said the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Wayne McDonald.    "Although there will be no work in progress during the weekend, the worksite still has the potential to cause holdups and drivers should plan ahead to avoid them."   

There were choices available, he said, for people to minimise delays:

  • Using SH16 to by-pass congestion at Warkworth.  The alternative route can be accessed from the end of the Northwestern Motorway through Helensville, or from the Silverdale interchange on SH1 north of Auckland.  "SH16 carries a less traffic, and journeys can be a lot smoother," Mr McDonald said. 
  • Planning journeys outside peak times for smoother and more reliable journey times
  • Avoiding delays on the Northern Gateway Toll Road by pre-paying for trips at freephone 0800 40 40 20 or on-line at www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link), or using the five-days-to-pay option after a toll road journey.

"These small measures can help beat the queues and have a better journey, especially for families enjoying their last long weekend break of the summer before children return to school," Mr McDonald said.

Traffic heading north from Auckland for the long weekend will start building up as early as mid-morning on Friday [29 January] and the NZTA is asking motorists to drive with patience and care.    

"Auckland Anniversary is one of the busiest times of the year on the roads between the two regions," Mr McDonald said. "Driving conditions will be very demanding: heavy congestion, slow moving queues, and temperatures at their summer peak."

Historically, anniversary weekend traffic starts building up at mid-morning on the Friday and remains heavy until the end of the afternoon rush hour.  SH1 will also be busy on Saturday from early morning until late afternoon. 

The NZTA will be co-operating with police to keep traffic flowing.  Roadside electronic messages will also inform motorists of traffic conditions ahead.

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