Community feedback leads to Hill Street traffic signal
improvements

Following feedback from the community the NZ Transport Agency has helped improve the State Highway 1/Hill Street intersection in Warkworth following changes made to the light phasing.

The NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker, says the improvements will help address the local access coming from the eastern beaches while still maintaining the functioning of State Highway 1, and he thanks the community, led by Acting Mayor Penny Webster, for bringing the issue to the attention of the Transport Agency.

Acting Mayor of Auckland Penny Webster is delighted by the change and has already seen an improvement in people’s experience at the intersection.

“I am really pleased that the NZTA has listened to the local community’s feedback about this issue and has sought to improve our driving experience.  I am disappointed that work is being delayed on the improvements to the intersection but we are working together to find solutions for our community now” said Acting Mayor Webster.

Mr Parker says Hill Street is a complicated intersection to manage, and the NZTA is trying to get the best outcome for all road users.

“Our engineers have done a number of tests and have identified improvements that have been gradually implemented over the past few weeks.” Mr Parker adds.

The sequence of changes is:

1. Better managing the fluctuating demand from the north (large, slow trucks can periodically create a large queue at the signals during the morning peak
2. Reduced cycle of time which makes the road more efficient in the build up during the busy periods
3. This in turn is improving flows for traffic from Matakana turning left on to SH1, and providing better access for right turning traffic.

Mr Parker says NZTA engineers are also looking to replace existing software in the next few months so that the maximum benefit can be extracted from the lights. 

“This, coupled with the installation of a cctv camera so peak hour flows can be monitored from the Joint Traffic Management Centre in Auckland, means that the NZTA can deliver maximum benefit from this intersection for SH1 travellers, those going to the eastern beaches, and the Warkworth community,” Mr Parker says. 

For more information please contact:

Ewart Barnsley
Auckland Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T    +6499288720
M    64272137616
Ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz