National Road Carriers wants action on link with Auckland

National Road Carriers wants faster action to provide Northland with a ‘fit for purpose’ State Highway link with Auckland.

“The State Highway between Auckland and Whangarei and towns further north is Northland’s “economic lifeline” ….

“The hundreds of heavy freight vehicles that travel the route every day make a critical contribution to Northland’s economy, employment, and lifestyle,” said National Road Carriers Association executive, Paula Rogers, in a presentation in support of a submission to Northland’s draft Regional Land Transport Plan.

“In our view the upgrade of SH1 between Auckland and Whangarei should be treated as a single, step-by-step “Road of National Significance” project for its entire length…. Not just the section between Puhoi and Wellsford.”

The Association also strongly supports designating Mangakahia Road as a State Highway.

“We suggest Council strengthen the RLTP to set a ‘stretch goal’ to deliver the two projects simultaneously – and have them well advanced by the 2021 deadline of this Plan.”

That there is no efficient rail link for long haul freight reinforces the case for faster action to improve the road network. “Trucks are it, and freight studies clearly indicate that Northland’s freight growth will be in the top five of New Zealand regions over the next 30 years.

To cater for this growth, NZTA needs to provide “a clear programme timeline” in its next National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) for a ‘whole of route’ upgrade of SH1 from Puhoi to Whangarei as a 4-lane highway by 2030 or sooner.

Ms Rogers urged the Council to note the need to ensure the safest possible highway. “Without a rail service to Northland, the State Highway will be carrying increasing numbers of large heavy and extended trucks (HMPV and 50 Max vehicles)”.

The Association’s submission also made a call for action to launch a strategy to seal all Northland’s roads, starting with roads shared by community and significant freight traffic. “The efforts made to suppress dust this summer were appreciated by truckies, but the end game should be to give Northland a safe, modern year-round road network,” she said.

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