Warkworth intersection work begins tomorrow

File photo / Paul Estcourt

Work is scheduled to begin tomorrow on widening a major intersection in Warkworth to allow for more traffic travelling to holiday destinations including Matakana and Omaha Beach.

New Zealand Transport Agency's Highway Manager Brett Gliddon said the work at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Hill Street will be completed before Christmas.

"We are committed to delivering the interim improvements this summer to help traffic flow more smoothly and safely through Warkworth, and to the eastern beaches.

The first stage of improvements will be followed by further works that will be completed before next Easter.

Mr Gliddon says traffic management measures at Hill Street will be in place and he asked people to take care driving through the construction site for the safety of themselves and contractors.

"It is a busy intersection and everything will be done to ensure a minimum of inconvenience for drivers.

"No work will occur during the busy holiday periods of Labour Weekend, Christmas/New Year, Auckland/Northland Anniversary and Waitangi Weekend."

The project includes widening the northbound approach on SH1, and increasing the capacity of the right turn lane into Matakana Road by extending it back to the intersection with Shoesmith Street.

The southbound approach would also be widened, which would add some capacity for traffic turning left into Matakana Road.

The southbound right turn lane from SH1 into Hill Street would be removed. This would improve traffic flow by giving more green light time to other traffic.

A widened shared path would be beneficial to walkers and cyclists and the connection between Sandspit Road and Elizabeth Street would be improved.

Warkworth company Wharehine would be doing the work, that would begin tomorrow, dependant on weather.