FAQs

What’s the background to this project?

In 2016 work was completed on a long-term plan for Auckland to Whangārei for where and when transport investment should be spent on SH1 over the next 30 years.

The Whangārei to Te Hana programme is an outcome of this work and responds to the Government’s directive to the Transport Agency to deliver a divided carriageway on a safe alignment between Whangārei and Auckland.

To find out more, view the SH1 Auckland to Whangārei recommended programme [PDF, 216 KB].

Why Whangārei to Te Hana?

Te Hana is close to where the northern Auckland motorway network will start, once the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance (RoNS) is completed.

The Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance is part of the wider Whangārei to Auckland long-term plan. As the RoNS project is underway with construction of the Pūhoi to Warkworth section is due to be completed in 2021 and planning is currently underway on the Warkworth to Wellsford section.

At the other end of the project corridor, a programme of significant improvements to urban Whangārei has been ongoing since 2010. It is now time to focus on improving the journey between Whangārei and Te Hana.

Why is it called Whangārei to Te Hana?

In 2016 work was completed on a long-term plan for Auckland to Whangārei for where and when transport investment should be spent on SH1 over the next 30 years.

Te Hana is close to where the northern Auckland motorway network will start, once the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance (RoNS) is completed.

The Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance (RoNS) is part of the wider Whangārei to Auckland long-term plan. As the RoNS project is underway with construction of the Pūhoi to Warkworth section is due to be completed in 2021 and planning is currently underway on the Warkworth to Wellsford section.

At the other end of the project corridor, a programme of significant improvements to urban Whangārei has been ongoing since 2010.
It is now time to focus on improving the 80km journey between Whangārei south and Te Hana.

What are the benefits of the Whangārei to Te Hana Project?

Whangārei to Te Hana is an important corridor in supporting the transport objectives of Connecting Northland by increasing route reliability and travel time predictability.

This long-term programme of investment will provide safer, easier, and more reliable journeys, reduce the cost of travel for the freight industry, and improve the ability of Northland to attract investment and tourism.

SH1 is a vital link between Northland the rest of the country for freight and tourism, which are key components of the Northland economy.

Around 2 million tonnes of freight moves between Northland and Auckland each year
Tourism in Northland accounts for $1 billion a year
Overall, Whangārei to Te Hana will have significant benefits for the safety, reliability and resilience of the state highway.

Travel time

Travel times are forecast to improve, particularly for freight traffic as the road is straightened out and the divided carriageway allows for safe passing of slow vehicles. Due to the improved road environment, the average travel speed on SH1 is forecast to increase from the current 76km/h to 89km/h.

Safety

Safety on the State highway will be improved by eliminating sharp bends, providing safe opportunities for passing, and separating northbound and southbound traffic. The proposed options are predicted to save 280 deaths and serious injuries over 30 years. This represents an approximate reduction of 80% deaths and serious injuries from the existing route between Whangārei and Te Hana (based on current crash records).

Travel delays and closures

SH1 was closed 46 times between Whangārei and Te Hana (mainly due to serious incidents) in 2014-15. Currently some detours are not suitable for heavy vehicles - meaning waits of up to 8 hours for these vehicles if there are unplanned events on the State highway.

With a divided carriageway, the frequency of road closures will reduce. Improvements to detour routes are planned in order to accommodate all vehicles.

What’s planned for Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway?

The first stage of the Whangārei to Te Hana project is planned between Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway. A programme to upgrade 22kms of the State highway to four lanes between Toetoe Road, south Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway (at the Ruakaka roundabout) is currently being developed.

What’s the project timeframe?

Construction timing for Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway will be determined once the investigation and recommended option is complete. This is so the project can be considered alongside other transportation infrastructure priorities.

Options for Port Marsden Highway to Te Hana, including a bypass of the Brynderwyn Hills, are being investigated, with work planned over a longer-term period.

If you are building new sections of State highway, what will happen to the old SH1?

In some sections of the State highway a new alignment will be constructed. Where this occurs, the current road will remain for residential and local road access to be maintained.

How much will it cost?

The construction costs will be confirmed once a preferred option is determined, however, until we have a preferred option, we cannot confirm the total project cost.

What options are being considered for the 4-laning project?

There are four short listed options for 4-laning between Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway.

Option A – upgrading the current SH1 to 4-lane expressway

4-lanes achieved through widening the current SH1 between Oakleigh and Port Marsden Highway, with some sections between Oakleigh and Toetoe Road built offline to improve the road standard.
Will provide limited access to some properties on the current SH1 (the centre barrier will mean left in/out access only from driveways).
Option requires new bridge/embankment over Mangapai River near the current SH1 bridge.
Current intersections expected to be maintained, though will be modified to suit upgraded road.
Central median and edge barriers provided along full length, turning locations to be provided.

Option B – building a new 4-lane expressway to the east

4-lanes to the east of the current SH1, leaving SH1 to remain for local access.
No direct access to properties from the 4-lane expressway. Property access along route will be via the current SH1.
Option requires a new bridge/embankment over Mangapai River near the current SH1 bridge.
New / upgraded intersections to connect to SH1 at key locations. Existing network to be redirected to these key intersections.
Central median and edge barriers provided along full length, intersections at key locations.

Option C – building new 4-lane expressway to the west

4-lanes offline to the west of existing SH1, existing SH1 to remain for local access.
No direct access to properties from the 4-lane expressway. Property access along route via the current SH1.
Option alignment avoids the coastal area. New bridges over rivers upstream.
New / upgraded intersection to connect to SH1 at key locations. Existing network to be redirected to these key intersections.
Central median and edge barriers provided along full length, intersections at key locations.

Option D – upgrading the current SH1 for southbound travel and building a new 2-lane to the west for northbound travel

Two lanes southbound on the current SH1, two lanes northbound on a new road to the west of the current SH1.
Will provide limited access to some properties on the current SH1 (southbound direction only).
Option requires new bridge/embankment over Mangapai River near the current SH1 bridge.
Current intersections expected to be maintained, though will be modified to suit upgraded road.
Central median and edge barriers provided along full length, turning locations to be provided.

How were the short list options chosen?

During the project investigation phase a number of options were considered. An assessment of many factors, including engineering, environmental, cultural, and social were taken into consideration to identify the short listed options.

The short list of options we are presenting for public consultation are preferred because they:

Improve safety, efficiency and travel time for all road users.
Have less adverse effects on the environment when compared to other options.
Improve the network resilience and reduce road closures due to accidents, severe weather and other adverse natural events.
Avoids or minimises possible impacts on potential areas of cultural significance.

How have the community been consulted?

Public consultation undertaken in August-September 2017 has provided the NZ Transport Agency with valuable feedback on the Whangārei to Te Hana programme. In total, over 800 online or written pieces of feedback were received and over 500 people attended public information days, meetings, workshops and hui.

For the Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway and Brynderwyn Bypass projects we asked for general feedback on route options to identify which options are preferred and which options are least favourable. In addition we also sought feedback on where to prioritise short term safety improvements (to be delivered by the Safe Roads Alliance).

Feedback received to date highlights strong public support for upgrading the current highway to four lanes from Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway. Residents in proximity to Option C are opposed to an expressway west of SH1, evidenced through individual feedback and a petition signed by 425 people. There is also opposition to both options for the Brynderwyn Hills Bypass project from residents in the Brooks Road area.

A summary of the feedback is available – Whāngārei to Te Hana Feedback Summary, September 2017 [PDF, 65 KB]

How will this feedback be used?

Your feedback, along with a range of technical assessments, is being used to evaluate the options developed for the Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway and the Brynderwyn Bypass sections. As a result of these evaluations, the Transport Agency will identify an indicative route, for both parts of the programme, to progress through to detailed design and consenting.

What’s next?

Statutory approvals for the Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway 4-laning project will be applied for in 2018. Subject to gaining all necessary approvals and property purchase, our current plan is to start construction in 2019.

What is planned for SH1 Whangārei south of Tarewa Road?

Since 2010, an ongoing significant programme of investment has been undertaken improving state highways in urban Whangārei and bringing SH1 up to a four lane standard as far south as Tarewa Road. This leaves a short 3km section to four lane between Tarewa and Toetoe Roads. This area is under increasing pressure from development and based on current growth predictions, four laning is required to meet expected capacity over the next 10 years.

Upgrading SH1 to four lanes will allow traffic to flow more smoothly through Whangārei and reduce queuing at key intersections. The proposed improvements include:

Intersection improvements such as traffic lights, road widening and roundabouts, for better connectivity and journey time reliability in urban Whangārei.
A central median barrier to separate north and south bound traffic to improve safety. A central median will limit some residents from turning right out of their driveway and will prohibit right turns at some intersections.
New footpaths and safer crossing points to improve safety for pedestrians.
Improved facilities for cyclists.

How can I have my say?

Initial feedback has now closed on the short list of options for Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway, as well as early feedback on the Port Marsden Highway to Te Hana section. Read the key findings from the engagement – Whangārei to Te Hana Feedback Summary, September 2017 [PDF, 65 KB]

We’re still in the planning stage for the urban section of the project. To help us develop a preferred option for this section, we want to know more about how you move through the area – as a driver, a passenger on a bus, walking, and cycling.

Your feedback will help inform some of the urban design elements such as the type of intersection design, location and form of paths, and the way we enable people to cross the highway safely.

Please complete the feedback form [PDF, 422 KB] by Sunday 4 February 2018, to go in the draw to win a hamper from Otaika shops worth $100.

Why are you just consulting on the urban section of the project?

In August-September we undertook public consultation on the Whangārei to Te Hana programme and received more than 800 pieces of feedback on the proposed route options. During the consultation, we didn’t receive any feedback regarding the proposed extra lanes to SH1 between Tarewa Road and Toetoe Road, Whangārei and we therefore need more information to help us develop a preferred option.

How do I find out more information?

If you have any questions, you can contact the project team on W2TH@nzta.govt.nz or 0800 948 342.

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