In the long-term, a proposed southern interchange on the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway will align with the release of land in the southern growth area of Warkworth.

It also provides the opportunity to connect buses to the proposed southern public transport interchange and improve connections to future employment areas. Additionally, it will make access to the motorway easier for any freight travelling south from the new industrial land provided for in the Warkworth Structure Plan.

It would primarily serve the southern future growth areas, while Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth northern connection at SH1 will continue to serve northern Warkworth, the central township and Northland-bound through traffic.

It’s proposed that there will be south-facing ramps only. Movements to the north will be facilitated by the Warkworth to Wellsford interchange in the longer term.

The interchange will be located south of Woodcocks Road and central to the southern growth area. It will be accessed from a new arterial road, which will connect to the proposed Wider Western Link Road in the southern future urban area.

This will add to the resilience of the network, providing direct alternative access to the motorway and the southern future growth area, relieving pressure on the northern interchange and Hill Street intersection.