Transit Regional Office
Auckland

19 October 2005

Media Release

Alternative routes recommended this Labour Day weekend

To enjoy reduced travel times and less stressful motoring when heading north of Auckland this holiday weekend, Transit New Zealand recommends motorists take the alternative route via State Highway 16 (SH16). Motorists should be on the lookout for road signs on State Highway 1 (SH1) ¡V south of the Silverdale exit and immediately north of Wellsford, directing them to the alternative route when queues build up.

Congestion between Silverdale and Warkworth during peak times often causes lengthy delays for motorists heading to locations north of Wellsford on SH1. Transit, the New Zealand Police and Rodney District Council will again be working closely to make travelling easier and safer, for the large numbers of holidaymakers expected to head north over the coming holiday weekend.

When queues start developing, signs will show motorists where to leave SH1 and take SH16. The alternative route north on SH16 can be reached:

„h From the North Shore - on SH1 (Northern Motorway) - take Upper Harbour Highway exit 414, Greville Rd exit 412 or Silverdale exit 398, or
„h From central Auckland - at Central Motorway Junction take exit 428 onto Northwestern Motorway (SH16).
Both routes rejoin SH1 at Wellsford.

¡§The alternative route is an effective way for holidaymakers to avoid the frustrations of long delays through Orewa and Warkworth,¡¨ says Transit Regional Manager, Richard Hancy.

¡§It makes sense for people travelling past Wellsford to destinations such as Dargaville, Whangarei and beyond - to bypass Orewa and Warkworth on SH16. The route is 12 kilometres longer, but often much quicker and less stressful than SH1.¡¨

More information is available at www.transit.govt.nz

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