Proposed Sandspit Link
Sandspit Link is a proposed arterial connection linking Matakana Road and Sandspit Road within the future urban growth areas in the northeast of Warkworth.
On Matakana Road, it will connect at the new intersection with the proposed
Te Honohono ki Tai - Matakana link road. This direct connection will provide an alternative route between Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth and the wider coastal settlements such as Sandspit and Snells Beach. This alternative connection will avoid the Hill Street intersection and increase resilience of the transport network.
It will also provide walking and cycling facilities through the future growth area to the north of the Warkworth township and serve the communities of Matakana and Sandspit. It will integrate with proposed walking and cycling facilities along the existing Matakana and Sandspit Roads.
The proposed new Sandspit Link will be two lanes for vehicles with a speed limit of 50km. We’re proposing that it runs east from Matakana Road and curves south to avoid key environmental features and the existing quarry. It will then continue towards Sandspit Road, connecting with a new roundabout.
This will provide a clear route through the future urban area and will enable future development to integrate with this corridor.
Proposed new Western Link
The Western Link is a proposed north-south connection through the western growth areas of Warkworth. It includes the existing roads of Mansel Drive and Evelyn Close and will directly connect to SH1 at both the northern and southern ends.
This proposed new north-south transport link will provide an alternative to existing SH1 and the Hill Street intersection. The majority of the new Western Link will have two traffic lanes with a speed limit of 50km. Widening at key intersections will be required to provide enough space for turning lanes and potentially bus priority.
All sections will also have separated, safe walking and cycling paths on both sides of the road, providing attractive and sustainable transport options.
This would be a new section of road between Falls Road and SH1, providing access to the future urban zoned land and the industrial areas to the northwest, enabling development in Warkworth North and along the corridor.
It will also provide a connection point to Tūhonohono ki Tai – Matakana Link which, when combined with the new Sandspit Link, provides a continuous connection to wider destinations beyond Warkworth.
The alignment of the corridor is consistent with the Warkworth North Precinct in the Auckland Unitary Plan.
We’ve proposed that the Western Link will follow the alignment that has been identified in the Warkworth North Precinct. Our technical assessments have focused on the transport requirements for the intersection and the Northern Public Transport interchange and park and ride, as well as environmental (including streams and wetlands) and geotechnical features at the northern end of the new Western Link where it will connect to Tūhonohono ki Tai - Matakana Link at an upgraded intersection. We’ve also considered development in the area that is currently underway and proposed in the future.
Mansel Drive and Evelyn Street, the central section of the Western Link, will be upgraded to provide improved walking and cycling facilities. This will provide active mode connections between residential areas, local centres and employment opportunities.
Our technical investigations considered the impacts of the upgrades on the recently developed commercial and residential areas. There are also environmental features of the Falls Road River and sites of significance along Mahurangi River.
We’ve taken into account the overall transport capacity in the network, and along with Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth and the existing State Highway corridor, we consider that a two-lane corridor can provide for transport movements while supporting the future and existing land use.
We’re proposing to retain the existing road reserve and reallocate space to provide improved walking and cycling facilities for this section of the Western Link. This could be a bi-directional cycle lane or dedicated lanes on each side of the road.
The southern end of the Western Link is proposed as a new section of road running between Evelyn Street and the existing SH1 and dedicated walking and cycling facilities will continue through this corridor.
This section will enable development in southwest Warkworth and along the corridor, providing access to future urban land and industrial areas. It will also provide an alternative north-south corridor to SH1 which will help reduce the pressure on Woodcocks Road between Mansel Drive and SH1.
We’ve considered different options for the Western Link southern section, starting from the existing Evelyn Street curving south around the environmental features and then heading east towards the existing SH1.
Our technical investigations looked at key features of the area such as the topography and the existing industrial land, as well as the future residential and light industrial areas. There are also environmental features of the large flood plain alongside SH1 as well as streams and wetlands we will continue to consider through our investigations.
Our preferred option for this section runs around the existing zoned industrial land, connecting into SH1 south of McKinney Road. This will provide a clear buffer between industrial land and future residential activities.
Proposed Wider Western Link
A Wider Western Link is proposed as a north-south connection between Woodcocks Road in the north and SH1 in the south connecting to the Southern Interchange on Ara Tūhono – the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway via a new arterial connection.
The southwestern area of Warkworth is the largest area of future urban zoned land in Warkworth. A Wider Western Link would provide direct access to this land and the associated residential, commercial and employment activity. It would also serve as a public transport route from the Southern Public Transport Interchange to the Southern Interchange of the motorway as well as, providing access to the future local centre.
We’ve considered alignment options for the Wider Western Link. Our technical assessments considered the streams, floodplains and other environmental features, and the ability to cross the Mahurangi River. Based on these environmental assessments, we’re proposing that the alignment travels from Woodcocks Road and curves south towards the Mahurangi River and connecting at SH1.
This will avoid the areas of steeper topography and major floodplains and allow future land use to be integrated on both sides of the corridor and to provide for the development of a local centre and a public transport interchange,
