A project to improve safety and efficiency for road users on the stretch of State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek and Waimauku in Auckland.
State Highway 16 is an important link for the local community, as well as providing resilience within the wider Upper North Island state highway network. Over 36,000 vehicles a day use the route between Brigham Creek and Kumeū, and over 15,000 vehicles are travelling between Huapai and Waimauku each day. Residential and business growth has increased and will continue to do so as the North West develops. This increases vehicle numbers and puts pressure on our network.
The project has been split into two stages. Stage one runs from Huapai to Waimauku and Stage two is between the Brigham Creek roundabout and Kumeū. We started construction on the section between Huapai and Waimauku where there are slightly less complexities and where half of the crashes were head-on. Work will progress on this section while we continue to confirm aspects of the scoping, funding and design for Stage two.
The focus of this project is to improve safety in the area which will improve the wider transport network’s efficiency. Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency are investigating plans for the longer-term to address future growth, including in Auckland’s North West.
More about these long term plans(external link)
Improvements to State Highway 16 include:
Stage one: Huapai to Waimauku
Stage two: Brigham Creek to Kumeū
The design for Stage one (Huapai to Waimauku) was completed in 2019. Following our submission for Notice of Requirement, there was an appeal to the Environment Court. The Environment Court hearing was held in August 2021, and in early November 2022 a decision was released. The decision was ruled in our favour. The construction contract was then awarded to Fulton Hogan in mid 2023 and work commenced in August 2023.
Updated timeframes are shown below.
NZTA is temporarily pausing Stage 2 of the Brigham Creek to Waimauku project in response to a significant increase in forecasted costs.
Material supply issues, labour shortages and rising inflation are contributing to increased project cost estimates, and further work is necessary prior to being able to confirm decisions about funding and scope.
As a result, Auckland Council has accepted our request to extend the timeframe for the Notice of Requirement application. We have also suspended all Public Works Act land acquisitions.
NZTA remains committed to making our roads as safe as possible. Construction of Stage 1 work will continue as planned to improve safety for road users on the stretch of State Highway 16 between Huapai and Waimauku.
NZTA will be in a position to provide further updates once we have worked through the necessary steps.
CloseConstruction on Stage 1 of the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku safety improvements project is continuing throughout 2024. The Matua Road and SH16 intersection has become a serious safety concern. Additionally, utility works at the entrance to Matua Road are necessary over the course of the project. To ensure commuter safety and enable works to progress, we will be closing the intersection at Matua Road and SH16.
We are installing a closure at the Matua Road/SH16 intersection from 6th May 2024 until project completion in late 2025.
There will be no access into or out of Matua Road from SH16.
The detour route, via Tapu Road, is clearly marked. Please follow the signs and allow extra time for your journey. Please see below for the detour route.
We’ll be working with other contractors delivering works in the area, including Auckland Transport, during this period.
During the works the road will be closed to through-traffic only between:
212 Matua Road and SH16
2 McIndoe Road and Matua Road
Matua Road to the end of Meryl Avenue.
All residents will have access to their properties at all times.
Emergency services have been notified.
