The upgrade of the Tarewa Road intersection with SH1 in Whangarei is stepping up a gear from next week.
On Monday, 17 December the right turn into Tarewa Road from SH1 and the right turn out of Tarewa Road onto SH1 will
close to all vehicles.
The right turn closures will remain in place until the project is completed in early 2020 so the project team can work
safely on the intersection upgrade and ensure the safety of all road users.
Motorists to use alternative routes to get from SH1 to the Whangarei city centre on Maunu Road and to the Okara shopping
Centre via Rewa Rewa Road.
There will be no right hand turn out of Tawera Road on to SH1, but vehicles will be able to turn left. Businesses along
Tawera Road will remain open.
The $17m upgrade of the Tarewa Road intersection with SH1 is part of the Whangarei Urban Improvements package to improve
the state highway through Whangarei by easing bottlenecks and improving traffic flow, safety and cycling connections.
The SH1 upgrade will create two lanes for north and south bound traffic and replace the existing two-lane Otaika Bridge
with a 4-lane bridge. The new bridge will be higher to accommodate modelled floodwater levels and create an underpass
for cyclists and pedestrians, providing safe and easy access to Whangarei Hospital, Northland Polytech and the CBD.
At the same time, the Whangarei District Council is upgrading two intersections on nearby Porowini Avenue - at Tawera
Road and Maunu Road. The works will start and finish during the period of the SH1/Tarewa road upgrade.
The Transport Agency and Whangarei District Council thanks motorists and the local community for their patience and
understanding while we continue to upgrade the SH1/ Tarewa Road intersection.
Instead of turning right into Tarewa Road, SH1 traffic can follow detours via Maunu Road and Rewa Rewa Road
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:
• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/nztaakl
• Twitter: twitter.com/nztaakl
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
• Electric Vehicle charge stations: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/ev-chargers