A busy stretch of highway where cars and pedestrians play dare could become even more dangerous as shoppers attempt to exit a new Pak 'n Save carpark.
The supermarket is opening on March 27 on the Hibiscus Coast Highway in Silverdale, but a Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member says existing traffic problems on the road will be worsened.
John Kirikiri describes the road and its feeders as a "dog's breakfast".
"It has to be the only state highway in New Zealand where the town is completely split in half," he says.
"There are no footpaths, no pedestrian crossings and you have to drive more than 2km to make a right-hand turn."
It's already a challenge for shoppers at the popular outlet stores in the Silverdale shopping centre to get back on the motorway and head south downhill across a fast-moving stream of traffic.
"Double-trailer trucks hurtle down the hill at 80km/h - and people risk their lives by running in front of them."
Mr Kirikiri says the new Pak 'n Save, opening with 320 carparks south of the shops on the main drag, will inflame the already dangerous situation.
It's one of a number of developments shooting up in the growing suburb, including New Zealand's second-biggest Warehouse, a Bunnings Warehouse, Countdown supermarket and Southern Cross Health Centre, as well as several schools and sports grounds.
Foodstuffs general manager property development Angela Bull says roads have been designed to accommodate the Pak 'n Save, but Mr Kirikiri says you don't have to be a "rocket scientist" to see more fatalities could occur. The former fireman has assisted more than 60 accidents on Hibiscus Coast Highway. There have been two fatal accidents on the hill in the past decade.
In his opinion, a combination of traffic lights, a reduction in the 80km/h speed limit and alternative access to Whangaparaoa - known as Penlink - are needed to address the problems.
Resident Murray Sampson says lives near Titan Place, just past the BP petrol station, and claims at least 500 people perform illegal u-turns in the street every day.
"It's the only way to head south from the shopping centre," he says. "People come out of Wainui Rd [on the north-heading side of the highway] and turn into Titan Place before doing a u-turn and heading in the other direction."
Mr Sampson says he's even seen the law-breaking tactic performed by police cars.
"I know they weren't heading to an emergency because I followed the driver into the petrol station and saw them buying a coffee."
Mr Kirikiri says the local board is waiting for Auckland Transport to fund a planned connection from the East Coast Bays Rd extension - where the Pak 'n Save is - to Curley Ave at the back of Silverdale shopping centre, but that could be a long time coming.
"We're hoping it will release the pressure, especially for the 8000 new residents at Millwater development."
But the 10-year plan to create that connection is not the preferred option of the Silverdale Commercial Ratepayers Association. It's pushing for traffic lights on the highway at the bottom of the hill.
The association's vice-president, Graham Johnson, recently joined Auckland Transport head Mike Lee on a tour of the area and Mr Johnson says he agrees lights are the answer.
He says the former Rodney District Council set aside $1.2m for traffic lights but they can't be installed because a reduction in speed would be required and that isn't possible because the main road is classified as a state highway and is owned by NZTA. Mr Johnson says he has a copy of letter sent by Transport Minister Steven Joyce to former Rodney MP Lockwood Smith saying the highway would be handed over to Auckland Transport in June 2009.
Local board member Julia Parfitt says Auckland Council arm Auckland Transport is reluctant to take ownership of the highway until NZTA has finished outstanding work, including the widening of a bridge at Albany.
"Why would we want to take over an asset that's been poorly maintained?"
She says the board is willing to look at traffic lights, but the road needs to be owned by Auckland Transport first.
"If they're going to take over, it'd be good to get some certainty around when that will happen."
Mr Sampson says the dispute between NZTA and Auckland Transport is "nonsense".
"We've got state and local body 'servants' who are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars arguing which public purse will pay for it."
NZTA manager Steve Mutton says most of SH17 is no longer required as a state highway, since the opening of the Northern Gateway Toll Road in May 2010. A plan for the road to be handed over had been in place since 2007 but NZTA suspended negotiations until the new Auckland Council came into existence.
"NZTA and Auckland Transport have recommended collaborative discussions ... which aim to reach agreements that are best for drivers and best for business."
Mr Mutton says the handover date to Auckland Transport is now planned for July 1.
Last week The Aucklander sent Auckland Transport a list of questions on the subject, and called numerous times, but no response was received.