A single stage business case for long term improvements to the Hill Street intersection has been undertaken in partnership with Auckland Transport. The business case was completed in late-2019 and a recommended option identified.
Work on the business case for improvements to the Hill Street intersection has been completed. The case has recommended an option for improving the intersection, as well as providing a case for investing funds into the project.
It is recommended that the signalised intersection at Hill Street be turned into a five-arm roundabout, with a three-arm roundabout constructed at the Sandspit and Matakana Road intersection. Cycleways and footpaths are also included in the proposal.
Auckland Transport have secured funds to start immediately on progressing the provisional designs, into detailed design, along with obtaining the consents and land needed to allow construction to begin. It is planned that the project will be ready to begin construction as soon as the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway and the Matakana Link Road projects have opened.
Funding for construction is being sought through the 2020/2021 review of the 2018-28 Regional Land Transport Plan.
The Hill Street intersection is located on State Highway 1 in Warkworth, approximately 70km north of Auckland central business district. The intersection provides access to Warkworth town centre, the Mahurangi peninsula and surrounding communities including Matakana, Snells Beach, Omaha and Leigh. It is also located on State Highway 1, a regionally significant transport corridor between Auckland and Northland.
The Transport Agency has teamed up with Auckland Transport to investigate a future upgrade of the Hill Street intersection, taking into account population growth, future transport needs of the area and the effects of the following projects and programmes:
The study area consists of multiple intersections in proximity to each other. Collectively known as Hill Street intersection, it encompasses the SH1 intersection with Hill Street and Sandspit Road, Sandspit Road intersections with Elizabeth Street, Millstream Place and Matakana Road, as well as access to Kowhai Park.
The layout of the intersection is complex and with no other east-west road access currently available, congestion and delays occur at this intersection during weekday peak periods, weekends and public holidays.
The completion of the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and Matakana Link Road in late 2021 will provide new north-south and west-east access, providing an alternative route to the Hill Street intersection.
Warkworth however, is expected to grow into a substantial satellite town of more than 20,000 residents over the next few decades. Population growth, along with a challenging road layout, means transport issues will persist at Hill Street.
As well as completing a business case for Hill Street, the Transport Agency and Auckland Transport are part of the Supporting Growth Alliance(external link), planning a future transport network for Warkworth.
