Hill Street intersection improvements Hill Street intersection improvements
The Hill Street intersection is located on State Highway 1 (SH1) in Warkworth. It provides access to the Warkworth town centre and to Kowhai Coast communities including Snells Beach, Algies Bay, Sandspit, Matakana, Omaha, and Leigh.
Project status: Design
Project zone: North
Project overview
- The Hill Street intersection in Warkworth has been a traffic bottleneck for travellers between Auckland and Northland, Warkworth and the Kowhai Coast communities.
- The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) has completed the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway connection to the north. The Hill Street intersection has now become part of the local road network managed by Auckland Transport (AT).
- AT and Waka Kotahi agreed in 2017 to work on a joint Single Stage Business Case (SSBC) to investigate a longer-term solution to the Hill Street intersection and to support the prioritisation of the project in the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).
- The Hill Street project was prioritised in the RLTP 2021-2031.
- In the RLTP for financial years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 no funding has been allocated for Hill Street Improvements. The Project will be put on hold, with the design work at a stage where it is read to continue when funding is allocated for the design, consent, property acquisition and construction..
How the project is going
AT reviewed the SSBC recommended option which considered:
- the significant land required from Kowhai Park
- the updated traffic pattern following the completion of the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and Te Honohono ki Tai Road (the Matakana link road)
- the impact of the proposed design to the rain garden that was put in place as a resource consent requirement for the carpark upgrade
- the requirement for major structures including new retaining walls and the extension of the existing culvert across Sandspit Road, and
- updated cost estimates.
The design review made sure the project could be delivered with the least environmental impact, and enhanced safe walking and cycling facilities. This also provided an opportunity to reduce both the size of the intersection and the construction cost. The review included updated traffic modelling.
A preferred design option was discussed with key stakeholders.
Project objectives
- Support residential and economic growth by improving journey time reliability through the Hill Street intersection.
- Enable growth in the area by ensuring there is sufficient capacity for all modes at the Hill Street intersection to support development.
- Maintain journey times for local trips as close as possible to 2023 levels following the opening of the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and Te Honohono ki Tai Road.
- Ensure accessibility to employment, education, tourism, and core services in and around Warkworth by maintaining journey times for local trips.
- Improve walking and cycling choices for trips within Warkworth.
Timeline
2019
AT and Waka Kotahi agree on a Single Stage Business Case (SSBC) design
2021
Project included in the RLTP 2021-2031
2022 – late 2023
Detailed Investigation, design review, and engagement with key stakeholders
Late-2023
Public consultation
2024
Develop design
Late 2024 - 2025
On hold until funding is available
Project background
The Hill Street intersection is complex, often confusing, with multiple intersections close to each other. There are safety concerns for all road users including people on vehicles, people walking, and on bikes or other micromobility options. The intersection consists of:
- the SH1 intersection with Hill Street and Sandspit Road,
- Sandspit Road intersections with Elizabeth Street, Millstream Place and Matakana Road, and
- access to Kowhai Park.
In 2017, Waka Kotahi and AT agreed to investigate a long-term solution to the Hill Street Intersection through a Single Stage Business Case (SSBC). They engaged with stakeholders and the local Warkworth community in 2018 and presented several concept designs during an extensive public consultation. The SSBC was submitted for funding priority in the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2021-2031.