General project questions
Why are you proposing these safety improvements?
We will be making safety improvements to infrastructure along State Highway 1 (SH1) Whangārei to Wellsford, as part of Road to Zero, Aotearoa New Zealand’s road safety strategy.
The section of state highway between Whangārei to Wellsford is 77km long and a vital connection between the Northland and Auckland regions. The aim of this programme is to reduce deaths and serious injuries (DSIs) by 40 per cent by 2030, and to improve highway safety for anyone who travels on this section of State Highway 1.
How many deaths and injuries have occurred on this stretch of road?
Between 2012-2021, 52 people died and 127 were seriously injured on this stretch of state highway.
*Figures taken from the Crash Analysis System
What are you planning?
Due to the length of the corridor, we are planning the delivery of infrastructure safety improvements in three sections. These include:
- The northern section between Whangārei (Toetoe Road) to Port Marsden Highway (SH15). The scope and approach are currently being developed for this section.
Northern section - The central section which extends 17kms from the Port Marsden Highway to Waipū Gorge Road, just north of the Brynderwyn Hills. The planning and design of the central section is underway and delivery of the first works in Package One are expected to be completed by early 2023.
Central section - The southern section extends from Piroa Stream Bridge to Wellsford. The planning and design of the southern section is currently underway.
Southern section
Where is the funding for this project coming from?
At this stage only the first works of the Central Section (Package One) at Ruakākā have been funded.
Future project funding applications will be made to the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), as part of the $2.9 billion Road to Zero investment.
Central section of the project
What is planned for the Central Section of the project?
The SH1 Central Section of the project is made up of three separate packages:
- Package one: from Port Marsden Highway roundabout to Mountfield Road. The aim is to install a wide centreline and a flexible median barrier for the full length. There will be gaps at intersections where turn treatments will be provided. This work is proposed to start mid-2023, pending funding. There will be some early works, now funded, starting in advance around October 2022. These works include a wide centreline from Port Marsden Highway to Lagoon Bridge, a flexible median barrier from Port Marsden Highway to Sandford Road and flexible posts from Sandford Road to Lagoon Bridge.
- Package two: from north of Finlayson Brook Road to Waipū Gorge Road. The aim is to install a wide centreline for the full length with a flexible median barrier from Finlayson Brook Road to Waipū Gorge Road. There will be gaps at intersections where turn treatments will be provided. This work is proposed to start late 2023, pending funding. There will also be some early works starting around October 2022, which will consist of wide centreline from north of Finlayson Brook Road to Waipū Gorge Road.
- Package three: from Mountfield Road to south of Millbrook Road. The aim is to install a wide centreline for the full length with a flexible median barrier from Mountfield Road to Millbrook Road. There will be gaps at intersections where turning treatments will be provided. This work is pending funding.
SH1 Whangārei to Wellsford Central safety improvements project [PDF, 2.1 MB]
What intersection safety improvements are planned?
Package one
- New right-turn bay treatments are proposed at Doctors Hill Road.
- Turnaround areas are proposed on Marsden Point Road, Doctors Hill Road and Mountfield Road.
- Upgrade to Sandford Road turnaround.
Package two
- New right-turn bay treatments are proposed at Finlayson Brook Road and Brooks Road.
- Turnaround facilities are proposed on Finlayson Brook Road, Brooks Road, Glenmohr Road and Waipū Gorge Road.
- Schultz Road is proposed to be left in/left out turning northbound with no right turn access southbound from or onto SH1.
Package three
Early design concepts proposed changes to the four major intersections on SH1 at Waipū and were presented to the community for their feedback from October to December 2021. This feedback combined with further technical investigations and engagement have resulted in revised designs as outlined below:
- Uretiti Road intersection: is proposed to be left in/left out only. Consequently, vehicles will be unable to turn right in or out of Uretiti Road.
See the redesigned proposal for Uretiti Road [PDF, 3.5 MB] - Rosythe Road and Nova Scotia Drive: a new roundabout is proposed for this intersection. Nova Scotia Drive will be realigned.
See the redesigned proposal for Rosythe Road and Nova Scotia Drive [PDF, 3.8 MB] - Shoemaker Road intersection: is proposed to be left in/left out only in both directions. Under the revised proposal, there will no right-turn into Shoemaker Road or onto SH1.
See the redesigned proposal for Shoemaker Road East and West [PDF, 3.7 MB] - The Braigh and Millbrook Road: this intersection will remain largely unchanged from the current road layout. There will be some flexible median barrier at the northern end of the intersection towards Whangārei, with a wide centre line on the southern end towards Brynderwyn.
See the redesigned proposal for The Braigh and Millbrook Road [PDF, 18 MB]
Who has been consulted during the design phases of this project?
We have been working with iwi and hapū partners, key stakeholders, landowners and residents along the state highway, local businesses and the wider community since the early stages of the project.
We will continue to engage with all the above as the project develops and funding is confirmed for the next stages of delivery. There will also be opportunities for the community to learn more about the project and to provide further feedback over the coming months. Details will be advertised locally and made available on our project website.
What’s the process and timing for the Central section of the project?
| Key milestone | Timing* |
|---|---|
| Community engagement to the proposed safety improvement design plans began | 28 October to 10 December 2021 |
| Community feedback processed and refinement of safety improvement design plans | April 2022 |
| Community advised of the outcome of engagement | July to December 2022 |
| Construction of the first package of early safety improvements begins on Port Marsden Highway Roundabout to Sandford Road and north of Finlayson Brook Road to Waipū Gorge Road | October 2022 |
| Project funding applications commence | 2023 |
*Timeline is indicative only and subject to change.
For landowners
How will I know if my land is affected?
Someone from our team will contact every landowner whose property may be affected. This includes both landowners whose land might be needed for the project and landowners whose driveway access or property boundary might be affected during construction.
We’ll also send out information to everyone along the road so that people know what’s happening and have the chance to talk with our team.
How much land do you need to purchase?
We are working on the detailed designs for each stage of the project, and this will help to determine if additional land is going to be needed. This may be land that is needed temporarily to help through the construction stages or permanently to enable the final design to be constructed.
Where can I get more information if my land is affected?
We’ll talk to people whose land is affected about the process and their options once we’ve confirmed whether any of their land is needed. But if you do want to find out more, you can find information on the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) website.
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)(external link)
What happens if we have services located around the road works? Who will pay for the relocation of this?
You don’t need to worry about utilities like water pipes and power cables that the council or power company has put in within the road boundaries. If you have a utility that you’ve had put in yourself, then we might need to talk to you.
Barriers and road accessibility
Does having a median barrier mean I have to travel further?
Yes. If you are entering the highway from a private access or side road, you will only be able to turn left and use a safe turnaround facility or roundabout to go in the opposite direction.
To achieve the greatest safety benefit for the flexible median safety barriers, there are as few gaps in the median barrier as possible. Waka Kotahi has a vision where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. To achieve this, we must put the safety of people first, before efficiency and travel time.
Do road safety barriers prevent agricultural vehicles from pulling over?
The proposed safety improvements are looking to install only a small number of extra road-side barriers at high-risk locations. Where there are existing wide shoulders and it is deemed safe to do so, agricultural vehicles will be able to pull over. The proposed flexible median barrier will discourage vehicles overtaking slower vehicles, including agricultural vehicles, reducing the risk of dangerous manoeuvres, making the journey safer.
How will emergency services get to people in an accident if barriers are installed?
There will be no changes to emergency procedures when median barriers are installed. If there is an accident blocking a lane, or emergency services need to access a property on the opposing side the emergency vehicles can use the opposite side of the carriageway to access the incident.
Where will buses stop once barriers are installed?
The construction of large turning treatments at the intersections will provide space for buses to stop safely to allow for drop off and pick up of passengers.
Will cyclists still be able to ride on the road?
Cyclist safety will be carefully considered throughout the design stages of the project. At the proposed Nova Scotia Drive/Rosythe Road roundabout, off-road cycle routes will be considered for cyclists travelling to and from Waipū.
What happens if a motorcyclist hits the barriers?
Roadside and median flexible safety barriers are highly effective in preventing deaths and injuries for all road users including motorcyclists.
