The Government has given an assurance the Auckland/Northland highway project is on track and that fears it had been placed on the back burner were unfounded.
The New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday said the Puhoi to Warkworth section could be finished as early as 2019.
Reports that the highway extension would not be finished until 2026 angered local politicians, as well as operators in the tourism and transport industries, who said the timeline was too slow.
Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth had said he would express his dismay to Whangarei MP Phil Heatley, but Mr Heatley beat him to the punch. After talking to the NZTA on Thursday, Mr Heatley said construction could begin as early as 2014.
"I'm pleased because we simply have to get started," he said.
"Although the Puhoi/Warkworth leg is subject to consent approvals and property purchases, I understand it could actually be completed as early as 2019. This would be a great result, certainly better than Labour's plans to shelve the four-laning altogether."
Mr Cutforth said he was "absolutely blown away" to hear that.
"It was such a relief. For us it a very important cog in our wheel, to have the road ready to go through by 2019 like was already stated."
NZTA state highways manager for Auckland and Northland Tommy Parker said it would submit reports for consents next year.
"The 2014 start date is subject to consent approvals, National Land Transport Programme funding and property purchases. The later the start, the later the finish," he said.
"The 2026 date mentioned is that last week's NZTA's media statement on its preferred highway route from Puhoi to Warkworth refers to projected increases in traffic on this stretch of road based on the NZTA's traffic modelling, which uses 2026 as a forward year."
The 2026 date was "hypothetical", chosen by traffic modellers to help with traffic forecasting.
Mr Parker said the NZTA was still investigating options to develop the Auckland/Northland highway connection north of Warkworth.
"Dates for the start of construction and completion are still to be confirmed."