Decision to proceed with right turn ban from Coatesville/Riverhead Highway onto SH16

Last year we asked for your feedback on our proposal to ban right turns from Coatesville-Riverhead highway onto SH16. We considered your feedback alongside other technical information and have decided to implement this ban.

The right turn ban will make it safer for people using the intersection and help traffic flow more smoothly along SH16 while we complete the design and secure the approvals needed to construct a new roundabout. This is an interim solution and we know that it will not solve all of the issues in this area, which is why we remain focused on delivering the permanent improvements as quickly as we can.

We have now secured a contractor to undertake this work and this ban will be implemented in May 2022.

You can read a summary of the feedback we received or view the full feedback report here.

Progress update on Stage 1 and Stage 2

Stage 2 (Brigham Creek to Kumeū) is progressing, with detailed design underway. Like the rest of New Zealand and other parts of the world, we are facing the challenges related to the impacts of COVID-19, a constrained labour market, supply chain issues and cost escalations. While design work has been taking place, we have secured additional funding to cover this rise in costs with endorsement from the Waka Kotahi Board earlier this month.

In the coming months, we will be speaking with landowners about how their property may be affected and to hear their feedback. If you are one of these landowners we will reach out to you shortly. Once the design has been confirmed following landowner engagement, we aim to lodge a consent application with Auckland Council in late 2022.

The design for Stage 1 (Huapai to Waimauku) is complete and this remains on hold due to the appeal on the Notice of Requirement. An Environment Court hearing was held in August 2021 and we anticipate a decision on this soon.

Planning future transport connections for the North West

In the long term, Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth are working on a future rapid transit corridor between Westgate and Kumeū-Huapai to provide efficient, frequent, and high quality public transport along SH16.

A walking and cycling corridor is also proposed connecting Whenuapai and the northern part of Redhills to Kumeū-Huapai.

Progress is being made on the necessary planning processes with environmental and technical assessments underway. These projects are not funded for construction by the Government. However the planning work that is underway now will ensure that when funding is made available in the future through the Regional Land Transport Plan or other sources, work will be able to start quickly as the land is already protected for the transport corridors.

An opportunity to hear more about the future rapid transit corridor and be able to provide feedback on the proposal will be announced soon.

You can read about the proposals for Kumeū-Huapai and other areas of the North West on our webpage here.

More information

For more information on the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku safety improvements project please visit our webpage - 

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh16-brigham-creek-and-waimauku/             

Or drop us an email SH16SafetyImprove@nzta.govt.nz