The first motorists will be travelling on the Northern Gateway Toll Road this Sunday morning (25 January), following an official ceremony tomorrow to mark the road opening.
The first motorists will be travelling on the Northern Gateway Toll Road this Sunday morning (25 January), following an official ceremony tomorrow to mark the road’s opening.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce will cut the ribbon on the NZ Transport Agency’s 7.5km extension of the SH1 Northern Motorway from Orewa to Puhoi at 10.30am tomorrow (Saturday, 24 January). NZ Transport Agency Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield, Rodney District Mayor Penny Webster and other invited guests will also be present to mark the occasion.
The road will be New Zealand’s first fully electronic toll road. To encourage and promote its use, the NZTA has exempted vehicles using the new road from the obligation to pay tolls on Sunday 25 January and Monday 26 January.
The road is being opened two months ahead of schedule. It provides motorists travelling between Auckland and Northland with a more direct and safer route for getting to their destination.
As well as enabling motorists to bypass the usual congestion spots, the toll road features reduced gradients, smoother curves and clear sight lines, which means it is safer for travel at motorway speeds. The road includes twin tunnels and seven bridges, several of which will carry motorists over the native forest canopy.
“The road will also bring a range of local and regional benefits, including reduced holiday congestion through Orewa; better connection between the Orewa township and the beach; as well as supporting the economic development and well-being of Northland and Rodney District,” NZTA regional director Wayne McDonald said.
For those who prefer not to pay to use the new road from Tuesday, the existing free route along the Hibiscus Coast Highway is still open and is accessed by exiting SH1.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Stakeholder and communications manager
NZ Transport Agency
M 64 27 213 7616
ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
