Second Major Site Access Point for the Pūhoi to Warkworth Project Opening

09 August 2017 - From mid-August 2017 construction will begin on the second key site access point (SAP) for construction traffic working on the Pūhoi to Warkworth Road of National Significance.

The site access point known as ‘SAP7’ is being established on State Highway 1 at Watson Road, a forestry road south of Mahurangi West Road. This will be the main access for construction traffic into the southern sector of the project.

Establishing the access point involves closing the southbound passing lane to create space for a safe right turn bay, wide median and wider shoulder. After careful evaluation, it has been decided that the passing lane will remain closed for the entire construction period.

NX2’s CEO, Ray Wilson, says closing the passing lanes will enable construction traffic to enter and exit SH1 safely with the least amount of disruption to other road users.

“Protecting the safety of project workers as well as all those who use SH1 is a top priority for the Transport Agency and NX2, and so closing the passing lane is an essential part of these works”

The works are expected to take a total of six to eight weeks. Temporary traffic management will be in place during construction, including a temporary speed restriction of 70 km/h.

For safety reasons, part of this work will be carried out between 9:00pm and 5:00am when traffic volumes are lower to minimise disruption. ‘Stop-Go’ operations will be in place and there may be some minor delays.

Please be patient and take care when travelling through the work area.

To find the latest traffic information please go to nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Work began in December 2016 to construct the Pūhoi to Warkworth project, the first stage of the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance. It is a key transport link connecting Northland to the rest of the Upper North Island, helping move people and freight between major centres more safely and efficiently. The project extends the Northern Motorway to four lanes for 18.5km north from the Johnstone’s Hill Tunnels at

Pūhoi to a tie-in with the existing State Highway 1 north of Warkworth. It will be open for traffic by late 2021

ENDS

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