The project was initially allocated NZ$830 million.
Time savings are dependent on several factors including time of day and location. The modelling undertaken for the tolling investigation expects a maximum saving of 22-26 minutes at peak times.
The road will be 80 km/h and a more direct route, so there will be a time saving. We can’t provide exact figures due to so many variables.
Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Nearby neighbours will be notified about upcoming work, including traffic management, via work notifications sent by email or delivered to your letterbox. If you live nearby, sign up for work notifications.
Sign up to the O Mahurangi Penlink database (confirmsubscription.com)(external link)
Please email the team at OMahurangi@nzta.govt.nz or call us 0800 7365 465.
The new highway will be a two-lane road as our traffic modelling shows this is appropriate for the predicted volumes. The new highway will take traffic off Whangaparāoa Road and the modelling expects it to carry approximately 15,000 vehicles per day in the late 2020s and approximately 20,000 vehicles per day in late 2040.
The entire route, including the Wēiti River Bridge, is wide enough to accommodate four lanes of traffic when the demand is met. The road has been designed for an 80 km/h speed limit and will not include passing lanes. If a vehicle were to break down, there is sufficient width for the broken-down vehicle to move over and allow traffic to pass.
Yes, the route including the Wēiti River Bridge is future-proofed. It is designed so that when demand requires, there is space for four lanes of traffic. The shared-user path would move to a clip on, which the bridge has been designed to support.
Our traffic modelling shows the primary demand for the highway is between Whangaparāoa and Auckland to the south. The design allows for the addition of north-facing ramps in the future.
The noise you may experience will vary. It depends on location, activity, work duration, size of the worksite, and weather conditions. We will manage our construction noise and work hours by working within consent and designation conditions and associated management plans.
“Managing construction noise” fact sheet [PDF, 515 KB]
Because it is a two-lane proposed toll road (compared to four lanes), traffic volumes will be lower and subsequently noise levels. We are also providing noise mitigation in three ways:
The O Mahurangi project will involve working through pine forest, native bush, as well as local roads and communities. The works have the potential to cause environmental impacts to the local environment. However, various types of mitigation measures are used to ensure that any impacts are limited. For example, erosion and sediment controls (ESC) are used to limit environmental impact on waterways. All ESCs are designed for the specific works in question and to suit the catchment and receiving environment accordingly. Each ESC plan is also submitted to Auckland Council for approval, who visit the site fortnightly to track our compliance with the plan, consent and ESC guidelines. We are also required to undertake monitoring of all our ESC devices, as well as nearby freshwater and marine environments. This is to understand and track any changes to the environment that may be occurring.
We also work closely with relevant stakeholders such as the Department of Conservation and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. This further enhances the protection afforded to the surrounding environment and provides us additional expert advice when needed.
How we manage construction run off [PDF, 595 KB]
Check out a video on how we test a sediment retention pond(external link)
As a result of the project, parts of Archer’s Block will benefit from restorative native planting and fenced for protection. Pest animal and weed control will also take place. These areas will be protected in perpetuity, as confirmed in our Ecological Management Plan which is certified by Auckland Council. The protection is a written legal agreement with the landowner to ensure the restoration areas are protected from development or land use change in the future.
Once the project is complete, NZTA will assess any land for its future transport need. For any areas not needed, it will go through a disposal process via the Public Works Act.
The O Mahurangi – Penlink intersection will be built “offline,” to the west of Whangaparaoa Road, on Crown-owned land next to the Cedar Reserve. This means that during most of the construction works, people traveling can continue to use Whangaparāoa Road. The new road layout will be built alongside it.
Nearby neighbours will be notified about upcoming work, including traffic management, via work notifications sent via email or mail. We aim to limit impact to our neighbours as much as possible.
If you live nearby, sign up for work notifications.
Sign up to the O Mahurangi Penlink database (confirmsubscription.com)(external link)
Many residents have told us they avoid turning right out of Cedar Terrace. This is due to safety concerns associated with limited visibility and traffic speed. Our recent traffic count data showed less than three vehicles an hour at peak times turn right out of this intersection. Once construction is complete, Cedar Terrace access will be left-turn in and left-turn out only.
This area is outside of our designation, so any decisions will be made by Auckland Transport as they manage the local road network.
Currently, public transportation options are being explored by Auckland Transport. It is best to contact them with further queries.
Visit the AT website(external link) or call them on 0800 103 080.
There will be a shared use path the entire length of the project that will eventually tie into future growth.
Frequently asked questions about tolling
The Sustainability Targets for the O Mahurangi Alliance focus on sustainable sourcing and resource efficiency, including waste minimisation, reducing energy, carbon and water consumption. These targets align with Te Hiringa o Te Taiao – Our Resource Efficiency Strategy and NZTA Resource Efficiency Policy for Infrastructure Delivery & Maintenance.
|
Resource Efficiency Topic |
Target |
|
Virgin and high carbon-intensity materials |
>10% less embodied carbon in core structural materials used |
|
Energy |
>10% reduction in energy use across construction and operational phases |
|
Recycled and alternative materials |
>10% use of materials with recycled content |
|
Waste |
>80% diversion by volume of clean spoil (excavation related waste) >90% diversion by volume of inert and non-hazardous waste to landfill (construction waste) >60% by volume of office waste is diverted from landfill |
|
Water |
>10% use of non-potable water Reduce water use |
The project is also aiming for sustainable procurement outcomes and designing for the impacts of climate change. This includes evaluation of sustainability policies and objectives of potential suppliers.
The O Mahurangi Alliance Sustainability Policy was developed with guidance from Mana Whenua. It provides a guide to influence and create a sustainability culture shift.
O Mahurangi Sustainability Policy - February 2023 [PDF, 367 KB]
More information on our sustainability achievements can be found in our sustainability annual reports:
2024 O Mahurangi – Penlink sustainability annual report [PDF, 2.4 MB]
2023 O Mahurangi – Penlink sustainability annual report summary [PDF, 529 KB]
Please email the team at OMahurangi@nzta.govt.nz or call us 0800 7365 465.
