Unsettled weather has not disrupted work to complete the final touches to the NZ Transport Agency Northern Gateway Toll Road, ahead of its opening this weekend.
Unsettled weather has not disrupted work to complete the final touches to the NZ Transport Agency’s Northern Gateway Toll Road, ahead of its opening this weekend.
“The road is looking fantastic and it’s going to provide a spectacular drive,” said Wayne McDonald, the NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Director for Auckland/Northland.
The final layer of asphalt is being applied to the new 7.5km section of SH1 between Orewa and Puhoi, north of Auckland, before road marking begins later in the week.
Workers are also installing signage and the last of the safety rails before the road is completed and opened two months ahead of schedule.
“There’s a great sense of achievement on site,” said Mr McDonald. “We’ve got 130 people working flat out and everyone is looking forward to the opening.”
The road, which provides a straighter and more direct route between Northland and Auckland, will be New Zealand’s first fully electronic toll road.
The toll tariff is $2 for cars and light vehicles, and $4 for heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. There is no charge for towing trailers and caravans, and the tariff for motorcycles has been set at zero.
People can open accounts online at www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link), or by using free phone 0800 40 20 20. There are cash payment points at BP Connect Dairy Flat [northbound] and at Titford’s Bridge [southbound]. However, the NZTA recommends motorists pay in advance to avoid interrupting their journey. The cash payment points may be busy, particularly during the upcoming Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Day long weekends.
The Agency reported that more than three thousand customers have already paid in advance online or by phone.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce will lead an official ribbon cutting ceremony on the toll road this Saturday [January 24], before motorists get their chance to use it from Sunday [January 25].
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Stakeholder and Communications Manager – Auckland
NZ Transport Agency
T +64 9 368 2142
M +64 27 213 7616
E ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
