It’s good news for Hibiscus Coast residents with O Mahurangi Penlink entering the main construction phase and Waka Kotahi on track to deliver the vital north Auckland transport link from late 2026.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Gary Brown is very pleased to reach this stage of the project with the road starting to take shape.
“Hibiscus Coast residents have one of the longest commute times in Auckland and with the substantial growth in the area, the road will provide much needed transport capacity.
“It’s only through long-term lobbying by the local board – past and present members – and others in the community over many years that finally Penlink is being built and funded by the central government.”
The Waka Kotahi team are making the most of earthworks’ season; planning to move 400,000 cubic metres of earth and managing erosion and sediment controls at the construction sites. The four main sites are situated at the Redvale area of State Highway 1/ East Coast Road, along Ara Wēiti Road, Stillwater and Whangaparāoa.
Waka Kotahi Project Director Norman Collier says, “The project is progressing well and will give Whangaparāoa residents alternative travel options when open. We enjoyed having the local board on site, and look forward to sharing more progress with them during construction.”
Work underway
The Top Road site entrance by State Highway 1 has been widened which means SH1 isn’t needed for access and reduces impacts on users of SH1.Temporary barriers have been installed along a section of East Coast Road to allow for the safe entry and exit of construction vehicles, between site access points, and services are being relocated on East Coast Road.
Earthworks in the pine forest area near Ara Wēiti Road is underway, including construction of sediment retention ponds, ecological work, and trees cleared directly west of the new Duck Creek Road bridge.
Temporary staging for the Wēiti River Bridge is being installed which should be completed early next year. Works in the Stillwater area are continuing such as installing gully drains in earthworks areas, access tracks and environmental controls put in place.
While at the Whangaparāoa site, ecological investigations are continuing, trees are being cleared, access tracks constructed, and sediment controls put in place as the work progresses west towards the Wēiti River.
With work well underway at the intersection of the new road and Whangaparāoa Road, Albany Ward Councillor Wayne Walker is relieved that everything is being done to minimise disruption during this phase.
“Most of the new road is being built offline and the construction team will carefully manage traffic impacts when transporting goods to site and later when they reconnect to Whangaparāoa Road in 2025.”
Protection for environmentally sensitive areas
The project involves environmentally sensitive areas and Waka Kotahi works closely with Heritage New Zealand and the Department of Conservation to preserve the ecology and meet required environmental conditions.
Erosion and sediment controls are used to limit environmental impact on waterways. Controls are designed for the works in each catchment and work zone and are approved by Auckland Council. Council staff visit site regularly to track compliance and Waka Kotahi is required to undertake regular monitoring which includes nearby freshwater and marine environments.
Erosion and sediment controls are used to limit environmental impact on waterways. Controls are designed for the works in each catchment and work zone and are approved by Auckland Council. Council staff visit site regularly to track compliance and Waka Kotahi is required to undertake regular monitoring which includes nearby freshwater and marine environments.
Key features of the project
The total project cost is estimated at $830 million and key features include:
- a new 7km transport connection between the Whangaparāoa Peninsula and SH1 at Redvale
- a separated shared path between Whangaparāoa Road and East Coast Road
- south-facing ramps to SH1, with an overpass over SH1 (located between the Bawden Road bridge and the BP station)
- local road connections at Whangaparāoa Road, Stillwater township, Ara Wēiti Road, and East Coast Road
- the ability to link with future residential developments between East Coast Road and Stillwater
- a new bridge crossing the Wēiti River.
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