Central section

The SH1 Whangārei to Wellsford Central project will be delivered over the next two years. Our safety improvements will greatly reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured along the section of state highway from the roundabout at Port Marsden Highway to the north side of the Brynderwyn Hills.

The Central project will be delivered in several stages to minimise disruption to road users.

Waka Kotahi will be engaging with affected property owners, key stakeholders and local communities during the planning, design and construction phases of this project.

Construction aims to commence with some short sections of safety improvements by mid-2022, subject to funding.

Rumble strips

Rumble strips could be the difference between straying off the road or staying on it. The raised markings make a sound when driven over, giving people a warning if they stray across their lane.

Wide centre lines

Widening the centre line means more space between you and oncoming vehicles. It is a simple and effective way to steer drivers away from each other. A wider centre line can give drivers more time to react and can help prevent a crash if someone makes a mistake. More space between lanes can reduce serious crashes by up to 20%.

Flexible median barriers

Flexible median barriers prevent head-on crashes, which is how most people are killed or seriously injured on our roads. They can reduce deaths and serious injuries by up to 65%.

Side safety barriers and widened shoulders

Side safety barriers stop your vehicle before you hit something harder - like a tree, power pole or oncoming vehicle. They can reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by up to 30%.

A wider sealed road shoulder provides room to recover if you lose control or need to take evasive action. Shoulder widening can reduce crashes by up to 35%.

These proven safety interventions are being installed as part of the Waka Kotahi contribution to New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy - Road to Zero.

Early 2019

Community engagement undertaken as part of the feasibility study to gather local knowledge and insights into safety issues and improvement opportunities. 

Community engagement also included the Northern section preliminary design option.

Mid 2019 to 2020

Feasibility technical assessment and preliminary design options developed for Central and Southern sections.

Early 2021

Detailed design contract of the Central section and Southern section awarded. AECOM and NCC Engineers were awarded the Central section and Jacobs was awarded the Southern section.

Mid 2021

Planning and design underway.

September 2021

Community engagement begins.

Early 2022

Community feedback processed and refinement of design for works near Waipū, funding confirmed for early works near Ruakākā, procurement and works scheduling begins.

Late 2022

Construction of the first package of safety improvements begins.

Early 2023

The flexible median barrier has been installed from Port Marsden Road (SH15) roundabout to Sandford Road, with wide centreline continuing to Lagoon Bridge, just south of Doctor’s Hill Road. This section of wide centre line includes delineator posts (yellow reflective posts). The wide centre line resumes north of Finlayson Brook Road to connect with the existing flexible median barrier terminating at Waipū Gorge Road.

Stage one works have been extended in 2023 to continue the wide centreline from Lagoon Bridge to Mountfield Road. Estimated completion of these works is September 2023, subject to resourcing and weather conditions.

On-going survey work will continue along the corridor to support further investigation and design work on the remaining proposed stages.

We are continuing to hold discussions with affected landowners and community members as part of this investigation.