Shane Reti: The three highway pinch-points driving north and what can be done about them

The Johnstones Hill tunnel is one of the first traffic hotspots to deal with when heading north. Photo / NZME

FROM PARLIAMENT

It is that time of the year when hordes of New Zealanders travel north to take part in and enjoy the bounty of Northland, and every year we can predict with some certainty where the traffic delays will be.

The first major pinch point will be the Johnstones Hill tunnel; the next, the Matakana turnoff at Warkworth; and the third, the pedestrian crossing at Wellsford. It has always struck me that if we can so accurately predict traffic bottlenecks, and when and where they will occur (every public holiday), then why do they persist?

The four lanes between Whangārei and Auckland will be part of an eventual solution but they will also take some time to build so what proposals can we can up with now as interim measures?

The Johnstones Hill tunnel is the hardest problem by virtue of options available, although the older Orewa route might relieve some of the south side tunnel delays. The backup route via State Highway 16 through Helensville avoids the tunnel completely and is picturesque.

One issue with SH16 is that, apart from a short passing shoulder around Kaukapakapa, there are really no passing lanes. If you get stuck behind a truck, you are stuck for 70km.

Maybe then the solution is simply to have more passing lanes and make SH16 truly a backup highway. I asked Phil Twyford about this when he was Minister of Transport and he wasn't interested but I still think this would be useful.

SH16 also avoids the number-two pinch, the Matakana turnoff, but what are the other options at Warkworth? It would be useful to have a slip lane north around the Matakana turnoff but converging lanes before the bridge at the north end of Warkworth creates problems. Warkworth locals have pointed out to me that one can actually go west and avoid the intersection completely via Woodcocks Rd.

All these routes eventually converge at Wellsford where it has been my observation that the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing is a concern. Grouping pedestrians together and helping them safely cross a main highway, especially during public holidays, is a good thing. The crossing is also on a downhill slope for southbound traffic so speed can be an issue and, as well, a lot of retail activity is on either side of the road.

I think there should be some consideration for making this a controlled pedestrian crossing.

A low-cost proof of concept would be to trial a police officer or qualified traffic control manager at the crossing, maybe with gloves and whistle - as used to be done not
that long ago - and let's see if we can improve the efficiency of traffic flow together with the safety of pedestrians.

I feel so strongly about a pleasant driving experience into Northland that I have to disclose that I actually offered myself to NZ Transport Agency as a traffic management person at Wellsford for Christmas day a few years ago. I was turned down but I'm up for whatever improves the driving experience into Northland.

Kia pai tou haerenga. Let your journey be safe.

Share Reti is the deputy leader of the National Party and a Whangarei-based list MP