Background
2016
Work is completed on a long-term plan for Auckland to Whangārei for where and when transport investment should be spent on SH1 over the next 30 years.
As a result, a business case commenced and progressed which recommended the following programme.
SH1 Auckland to Whangārei recommended programme 2016 [PDF, 216 KB]
March 2017
The Minister of Transport announced plans to ‘4-lane’ the State highway between Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway.
April 2017
Investigations commenced on the Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway 4-laning project, as well as the Port Marsden Highway to Te Hana long term improvements.
August 2017
The business case progressed and two ‘offline’ sections of SH1 from Whangārei to Te Hana as well as investigations into safety improvements along the corridor, were presented.
Whangārei to Auckland – Connecting Northland programme business case 2017 [PDF, 5 MB]
July – October 2018
Whangārei to Te Hana was re-evaluated to align with GPS 2018 priorities of safety, access, environment and value for money.
The outcome of the re-evaluation is summarised here.
Whangārei to Warkworth recommended programme 2018 [PDF, 166 KB]
September 2020
We announced a shortlist of two route options for the SH1 Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway project, with an aim to have a preferred route by the end of the year. The project was funded from the New Zealand Upgrade programme.
The two options included upgrading the current state highway to 4 lanes (with some sections built offline to straighten out curves) or upgrading the existing state highway to 4 lanes with a section built to the west of SH1, avoiding the coastal marine environment at Oakleigh. The project also included a separated walking and cycling path between Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway (SH15).
The aim of the New Zealand Upgrade programme was to help stimulate the economy and support the country as it recovered from the impact of Covid-19. It invested in projects that supported a shift to greater transport choice with a balanced investment in public transport, new or upgraded roads, walking and cycling.
We sought public feedback on both the urban section of the project between Tarewa Road and Toetoe Road and the two route options in the rural section between Toetoe Road and Port Marsden Highway. Feedback closed 23 October 2020.
Summary of public engagement – October 2020 [PDF, 947 KB]
December – April 2021
We asked for feedback from communities within the Whangārei district, regional road users and visitors to Northland on how they move through the section of SH1. Feedback closed on 31 April 2021.
Summary of public engagement – November 2021 [PDF, 1.1 MB]
June 2021
It was announced the Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway four-laning project would not continue as part of the New Zealand Upgrade programme.
Planning work began on the new ‘Northland package’ a new option that would focus on improving safety along the existing state highway between Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway, and the construction of a new rail link to Northport (lead by KiwiRail).
New Zealand Upgrade programme - Northland package factsheet 2021 [PDF, 261 KB]
2023
NZUP funding was announced for the SH1 Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway Safety Improvements project, part of wider package of works to improve safety on SH1 between Whangārei to Wellsford.
SH1 Whangārei to Port Marsden Highway safety improvements project
2024
The Minister of Transport announced that the Port Marsden to Whangārei project was a of Road of National Significance (RoNS). All RoNS are to be 4 lane grade separated roads which will be considered for tolling.
