A new park and ride facility in Warkworth will bring new community benefits to the area such as car parks, bike racks, and bus stops.
The Warkworth Community Transport Hub design approved by Rodney Local Board will be delivered by Auckland Transport (AT) working on behalf of the local board, which is funding the project.
"The new Community Transport Hub will be a fabulous new addition to our town and region," says Beth Houlbrooke, Rodney Local Board Deputy Chair and member for the Warkworth subdivision.
"It will address a variety of concerns raised by the community including the One Warkworth Business Association, Mahu Sport, bus users and potential bus users, and those struggling to find all-day parking in the Warkworth township due to commuters using long-term parking spots."
The Warkworth Community Transport Hub will feature 131 car parks, bike racks, dedicated mobility and kiss and ride spaces (drop-off area), and two bus stops. Situated at 80 Great North Road, the facility will reduce parking and bus congestion in Warkworth, provide parking overflow for the adjacent Warkworth Showgrounds and deliver safe vehicular access from SH1 just north of the Hill Street intersection.
The hub will also link with a new planned Kowhai shared walking and cycling path to be built between Warkworth and the Showgrounds.
Beth Houlbrooke says the new facility has an estimated construction cost of $5 million and will be fully funded by the Rodney Local Board using the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate.
"The construction includes site remediation, safe vehicular access, landscaping to create a level surface, lighting, CCTV, toilets, and footpath connections to Warkworth which will equip the site for long-term community use," she says.
"The site position will also provide the opportunity to re-route a bus service around the western side of Warkworth down Mansel Drive as requested by the community, especially the residents of Summerset Falls retirement village."
The new transport hub will be operated and maintained by AT.
