Auckland Regional Office

19 October 2006

Media Release

SH16 alternative route to Northland recommended this Labour weekend

To enjoy less stressful driving in potentially wet weather when heading north of Auckland this coming Labour weekend, Transit New Zealand recommends motorists take the alternative route north via State Highway 16 (SH16).

Motorists should be on the look out for road signs on State Highway 1 (SH1) – south of the Silverdale exit when leaving Auckland and immediately north of Wellsford when returning - directing them to the SH16 route when traffic queues start building up.

Congestion between Silverdale and Warkworth during peak times often causes lengthy delays for motorists heading to destinations north of Wellsford on SH1. When traffic queues start developing, electronic message signs will show motorists where to leave SH1 and take SH16, which can be reached by:

- Taking the Northern Motorway (SH1) via the Silverdale off-ramp
- Taking the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) via Helensville

The SH16 route then rejoins SH1 at Wellsford.

Transit encourages motorists to slow down in wet conditions, take regular breaks and drive safely over the long weekend.

More information on driving over the long weekend and a map showing the alternative route, is available at www.transit.govt.nz and www.trafficnz.info

ENDS

**Please see attached pdf map of alternative route**
See... http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0610/ARN_Stylised_Map.pdf

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