Motorists travelling north this Easter weekend should be on the lookout for road signs on State Highway 1 (SH1) that could make their journey less stressful.

Transit New Zealand, the New Zealand Police and Rodney District Council will be working closely to help make travelling easier and safer for the many thousands of people expected to head north over the coming weekend.

The main thrust of the inter agency strategy will be to minimise, as far as possible, congestion on the 30 kilometre stretch of SH1 between Silverdale and Warkworth.

Signs will direct motorists to leave SH1 and take State Highway 16 (SH16) to avoid congestion and delays that are often experienced at peak times on SH1 between Silverdale and Warkworth over holiday weekends.

SH16 can be easily reached by travelling to the end of the Northwestern Motorway and then through Kumeu and Helensville to Wellsford. Alternatively, it can be reached from SH1 via the Silverdale off-ramp, then SH17 and Kahikatea Flat Road.

“It makes sense for people travelling past Wellsford to destinations such as Dargaville, Whangarei and beyond, to go around Orewa by using SH16 which is only 12 kilometres longer than SH1, but without the lengthy delays experienced on SH1,” says Transit Regional Manager Wayne McDonald.

“Over past holiday weekends, and the recent Christmas and New Year period, many holidaymakers took advantage of the alternative route and enjoyed reduced travelling times and less stressful motoring.”

More information for motorists, and a map showing the alternative route, is available at www.transit.govt.nz. Motorists can also call 0800 73 73 25 for more information.

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