15 February 2017
Media Release
Auckland - Northland roading improvements welcomed by National Road Carriers
The indicative route just announced for a new motorway between Warkworth and Wellsford will help make the freight trip
between Auckland and Whangarei safer and more efficient.
“It will allow heavy trucks to bypass both Warkworth and Wellsford and address the current roads poor safety record.
“With the State Highway between Auckland and Whangarei and towns further north Northland’s “economic lifeline,” a ‘fit
for purpose’ State Highway link cannot come fast enough.
“The hundreds of heavy freight vehicles that travel the route every day make a critical contribution to Northland’s
economy, employment, and lifestyle,” said National Road Carriers chief executive David Aitken
“While the step forward announced yesterday is welcome, we remain hopeful that a motorway standard link for the whole
route between Auckland and Whangarei can be accelerated and delivered within ten years. A strong case can be made for
making the upgrade of the Auckland to Whangarei route a single, seamless project.” he noted.
First, there is no rail link for long haul freight into or from Northland – road freight is it. Second, there is just
one major road linking Auckland and Northland.”
Freight studies clearly indicate that Northland’s freight growth will be in the top five of New Zealand regions over the
next 30 years.
To cater for this growth, NZTA needs to provide “a clear programme timeline” in its next National Land Transport
Programme (NLTP) for a ‘whole of route’ upgrade of SH1 from Puhoi to Whangarei as a 4-lane highway by 2027 or sooner.
For the foreseeable future, the State Highway will be carrying increasing numbers of large heavy and extended trucks
(HMPV and 50 Max vehicles). “The end game should be to give Northland a safe, modern year-round road network,” concluded
Mr Aitken.
•For more information contact chief executive David Aitken on 021 771 911 or Paula Rogers on 021 771 951.