Source: Northland Regional Council
The central government is to invest $187 million into parts of the Northland road corridor – including work on an alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills – has been welcomed by the Northland Regional Council (NRC).
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced recently (subs: Mon 20 October) the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) board had endorsed the work as part of the next steps in Central Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme.
Council Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Gibbard says the Northland funding will allow for work to progress design, consenting, and route protection for the Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway (‘Route 2’) and Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei (‘Route 3’).” Crucially, the funding will also include priority given for an alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills (‘Route 2b’).
Mr Gibbard says during the recently-ended previous term of council, the Northland Regional Transport Committee (RTC) – chaired by regional councillor Joe Carr and including members of all four Northland councils – had been a strong advocate and supporter of work to progress the corridor, including confirmation of the alternative to the present SH1 Brynderwyns Hill alignment.
The region’s new councillors have yet to be formally sworn in and a new transport committee has yet to be appointed for the current term of council. However, Mr Gibbard today welcomed Monday’s announcement on behalf of the NRC.
“This infrastructure will play a critical role in the future prosperity and resilience of the north.”
“Work along this corridor will support Northland’s economic growth and productivity, provide a safer and more resilient roading network and reduce congestion.”
Minister Bishop says the investment case shows strong benefits with travel times reduced by up to 38 mins between Te Hana and Whangarei, deaths and serious injuries reduced by 66 per cent, travel time delay reduced by 64 per cent, and resilience risk reduced by 82 per cent on average.
Mr Gibbard says the investment case recommends moving to route protection in a staged approach for the full corridor between Te Hana and Whangārei and endorses the preferred route.
“Focusing on the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills will also provide a long-term solution and enhance the overall efficiency of the corridor.”
Mr Gibbard says NZTA had advised its next steps would be to begin individual conversations with affected landowners.
The agency says due to the length of the preferred route, it will take time to arrange individual meetings with landowners.
The NZTA says this will be staged, beginning with those in the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills section and affected landowners could expect to hear from NZTA in the coming weeks with more detail on next steps.
The agency aims to lodge consents and designations for the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills by mid-2026 and the designation for the remainder of the corridor is expected to be lodged by late-2026.
Meanwhile, as part of Monday’s announcement Minister Bishop says Procurement on Warkworth to Te Hana is also progressing, with a preferred bidder expected to be confirmed in early 2026.
He says subject to successful contract negotiations, the contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2026. Detailed design and early construction works are expected to start in late 2026.
