New images have been released of the highly anticipated new motorway between PÅ«hoi and Warkworth as the expected opening date draws near.
The Herald understands the physical works could be completed in April/May and the highway fully open two to three months later.
The route has been labelled the âholiday highwayâ, because of the number of Aucklanders with bolt-hole baches in places like Omaha and Mangawhai.
A completed section of the new motorway. Photo / Supplied
The current cost of the project is $877.5 million, but in October it was reported Waka Kotahi had received a claim for an additional $280m, but has not seen any evidence to support a claim of this size.
When the highway does fully open, the 18.5km route will be an impressive sight, featuring natural forms, a kauri reserve at bridge level looking down on the PÅ«hoi River, and 50m-high cut slopes with layers of rock forms breaking out to valley views, all following a curved path to Warkworth.
The drive will chop 11 minutes off the current route, be a much safer and more reliable drive for the 24,000 vehicles that use the road every day and connect to Auckland Transportâs $62m Matakana link road that avoids Warkworthâs infamous Hill St intersection.
New photos of the highly anticipated "Ara TÅ«hono" motorway have been revealed. Photo / Supplied
Since June this year, a section of the highway has opened at the Johnstones Hill end across the impressive Arawhiti ki Åkahu viaduct before drivers get off at PÅ«hoi and back on to SH1 with a 60km/h speed limit for safety reasons.
Waka Kotahi will only say the highway, named Ara TÅ«hono, or âconnecting pathâ, will open sometime in 2023.
Spokesman Andrew Robertson said an update on the opening date would be announced once the works are completed, safety and quality tests are signed off by an independent reviewer, and contractual issues with the Northern Express Group (NX2) consortium involving the impact of Covid-19 are resolved.
New photos of the highly anticipated "Ara TÅ«hono" motorway have been revealed. Photo / Supplied
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