Puhoi to Warkworth a vital step forward for Northland

Media Release: 8 DECEMBER 2016
Puhoi to Warkworth a vital step forward for Northland

The AA is delighted that construction is officially underway on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway extension – a project which will deliver huge benefits for Northland by improving travel times and alleviating congestion.
Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Simon Bridges today turned the first sod on the 18.5 kilometre project, which will extend Auckland’s northern motorway from Puhoi to just north of Warkworth.

“Many people from outside Northland don’t understand what a vital step forward this is for us,” says AA Northland District Chairman Steve Westgate.

“It’s not just about safer, quicker and more reliable journeys, it’s about the economic opportunities that come with it. This project will improve our connections with Auckland, New Zealand and the world.”

The project, which is expected to be open by late 2021, is the first stage in the Government’s Puhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance (RoNS). The NZ Transport Agency is expected to release an indicative route for the Warkworth to Wellsford section early next year.
The AA is keen to see the Transport Agency keep its foot on the pedal, and make headway on the connecting Warkworth to Wellsford section as soon as possible.

Mr Westgate adds that, while the Puhoi to Warkworth project will help to address congestion issues at Warkworth once complete, it would make sense for the Transport Agency to explore options to ease the bottleneck in the interim.
“Getting through Warkworth is still really problematic, and we’re going to see that highlighted over the holiday period. Let’s see what can be done to provide some relief in the near term.”

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