Whangārei intersection, stretch of highway to get major upgrade

A set of lights will be installed and a bridge will be widened as part of upgrades to an intersection and stretch of State Highway 1 near Whangārei's Tarewa Park.

The upgrade of the SH1 and Tarewa Rd intersection is the final project of six that forms the Whangārei Urban Improvements.

NZ Transport Agency senior manager, project delivery Chris Hunt said contractors will start mobilising on site from mid-August with construction to commence mid-September.

He said the project will cost about $17 million, with construction planned to be completed early 2020.

"The project creates a safer intersection for all users. It recognises that there is a strong demand for people coming into Whangārei on Tarewa Rd and creates enough capacity to allow this movement to happen safely without impacting on the rest of the network."

Traffic lights will be installed to allow people to cross safely at road level, improve traffic flows and reduce queues during peak hours.

The highway will be widened to four lanes from Tarewa Rd to the intersection with SH14. The two-lane Otaika Bridge will be replaced with a four-lane bridge.

The new bridge will be higher to accommodate modelled floodwater levels and create an underpass for cyclists and pedestrians.

"Importantly the widening of the bridge creates an underpass which provides a missing link in the Whangārei cycle network - connecting the CBD with the Hospital and NorthTec."

Other works include building retaining walls and noise walls to reduce the impact of traffic on neighbours and improving cycling and walking facilities along and across the road.

Hunt said the project had been planned to minimise disruption for all users.

"At this stage, there will be no full road closures, however there may be occasions where stop/go or contraflows are in place outside of peak use periods.

"Initial works will include widening the road so that two-way movements can be maintained at all times."

Hunt said some night-time closures are likely towards the end of the project while surfacing is carried out.

A more detailed management plan will be approved before work takes place.

The other five projects were the extension of the Kamo Bypass, adding another lane in each direction on SH1 between Kensington Ave and Kamo Rd, the Selwyn Ave to Fourth Ave four-laning, the upgrade of SH1/SH14 intersection and the upgrade of the Kensington Ave roundabout and highway south to Manse St.