Auckland Regional Office

10 April 2006

Media Release

Alternative route north again recommended this Easter holiday

To enjoy reduced travel times and less stressful motoring when heading north of Auckland this coming Easter holiday weekend, Transit New Zealand recommends motorists again take the alternative route north via State Highway 16 (SH16).

Motorists should be on the look out for road signs on State Highway 1 (SH1) – south of the Silverdale exit when leaving Auckland and immediately north of Wellsford when returning - directing them to the alternative SH16 route when queues build up.

Congestion between Silverdale and Warkworth during peak times often causes lengthy delays for motorists heading to destinations north of Wellsford on SH1. Transit, the New Zealand Police and Rodney District Council will again be working closely to make travelling easier and safer, for the large numbers of holidaymakers expected to head north over the coming Easter holiday weekend.

When queues start developing, electronic message signs will show motorists where to leave SH1 and take SH16, which can be reached:

from the North Shore: on the Northern Motorway (SH1) - take Upper Harbour Highway exit 414, Greville Rd exit 412 or Silverdale exit 398.
from central Auckland: take exit 428 onto the Northwestern Motorway (SH16).

The SH16 route rejoins SH1 at Wellsford.

“It makes sense for people travelling past Wellsford to destinations such as Dargaville, Whangarei and beyond to bypass Orewa and Warkworth on SH16. The route is 12 kilometres longer, but usually is quicker and less stressful than SH1,” says Transit Regional Manager (acting), Peter Spies.

Transit encourages motorists to drive safely over Easter and avoid fatigue, by stopping to revive before starting to drive. More information on holiday driving and a map showing the alternative route, is available at www.transit.govt.nz and www.trafficnz.info

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