The NZ Transport Agency has chosen a route which follows the current state highway as the emerging preferred corridor for the SH1 Whangarei to Port Marsden Highway project.

The emerging preferred corridor will upgrade the current 22km state highway to four lanes (with some sections built on a new alignment to straighten out curves), with a separated walking and cycling path between Whangarei and Port Marsden Highway (SH15).

The project is part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme‘s $6.8 billion investment to save lives, get regions moving and boost productivity in key growth areas.

Originally there were four shortlisted route options, but this was reduced to two for the October round of public consultation. The consultation showed a high level of support for Option A to straighten and upgrade the current state highway to four lanes with a separated walking and cycling path between Whangarei and Port Marsden Highway (SH15).

The second option, Option E, also proposed upgrading the existing state highway to four lanes with a section built to the west of SH1 to avoid the coastal marine environment at Oakleigh.

The NZTA sought public feedback on both the urban section of the project between Tarewa Road and Toetoe Road and the two route options in the rural section between Toetoe Road and Port Marsden Highway.

Option A has been selected as the emerging preferred corridor as it:

• provides for a shorter and more direct route than the shortlisted ‘Option E‘

• makes the best use of existing transport assets (being the existing SH1 corridor)

• will result in one corridor to operate and maintain, whereas Option E would allow local traffic on a section of road through an area with safety and resilience issues

• supports a shared path adjacent to the upgraded corridor which will provide a shorter and more direct route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Feedback received from more than 300 people throughout October showed support for upgrading the existing highway and a strong desire for improving safety and protecting the environment. Public engagement on the emerging preferred corridor is planned for early-2021.

NZTA senior manager project delivery Andrew Thackwray says the preferred corridor will be confirmed through the development of the business case which is due for completion mid-2021.

“The width of the emerging preferred corridor currently varies between 25 and 250 metres and will be refined over the coming months through ground investigations, landowner consultation and design work.

“The design of the road within the emerging preferred corridor is at a very early stage of development. Design details including the form of intersections, access points and location of the shared path are still to be decided.”

The SH1 Whangarei and Port Marsden Highway upgrade is part of a wider programme of improvements to improve safety, access, and reliability between Whangarei and Auckland that includes:

• Ara Tuhono – Puhoi to Warkworth project (under construction)

• Warkworth to Wellsford (consenting phase)

• Improvements to the State Highway 1 (SH1) and Loop Road (SH15) intersection and SH1 and Portland Road intersection (under construction)

Together, these projects aim to improve safety, build greater resilience into the transport system, and improve the connection and access to Northland.