Transit New Zealand

Auckland Regional Office

31 May 2005

Media Release

Alternative routes recommended this Queen’s Birthday weekend

To enjoy reduced travel times and less stressful motoring this holiday weekend, Transit New Zealand recommends motorists take the alternative route north via State Highway 16 (SH16) when heading north of Auckland. Motorists should be on the lookout for road signs on State Highway 1 (SH1), when queues build up, directing them to the alternative route.

Congestion between Silverdale and Warkworth during peak times often causes lengthy delays for motorists heading north of Wellsford. Transit, the New Zealand Police and Rodney District Council will again be working closely to make travelling easier and safer for the large numbers of holidaymakers expected to head north over the coming holiday weekend.

When queues start developing, signs will direct motorists to leave SH1 and take SH16. SH16 can easily be reached by travelling to the end of the Northwestern Motorway and then through Kumeu and Helensville to Wellsford. Alternatively, it can be reached from SH1 via the Silverdale off-ramp, then along the signposted alternative route along SH17 and Kahikatea Flat Road.

“The alternative route is an effective way for holidaymakers to avoid the frustrations of long delays through Orewa and Warkworth,” says Transit regional manager, Richard Hancy. “It makes sense for people travelling past Wellsford - to destinations such as Dargaville, Whangarei and beyond - to bypass Orewa and Warkworth by using the alternative SH16, which is 12 kilometres longer, but often much quicker, then SH1.”

More information and a map showing the alternative route, is available at www.transit.govt.nz

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