Yesterday we received some good news; the Matakana Link Road will have four lanes instead of the proposed two.

Auckland Transport (AT) has developed a plan that will allow all four lanes of the Matakana Link Road to be built within the existing $62 million budget,” says Mayor Phil Goff.

“Building four lanes from the outset will ensure that the new road can accommodate growth in the Warkworth area, which is expected to see a population increase of 20,000 over the next 30 years.”

The link road will allow people to skip going through the dreaded Hill Street intersection in order to get to Leigh, Omaha, Sandspit and Snells Beach.

The 1.35km link will ease the congestion that frequently builds up at the intersection and will be very helpful when Hill Street is being upgraded. 

The project will create jobs, employing up to 120 staff and will help support the local economy, and with a shared path being built alongside the road, people also have the option to walk or bike.

AT's executive general manager of integrated networks, Mark Lambert, says the plan is to have the road finished prior to the opening of the new Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. “Preparatory works started last week – prior to the main construction works – and involve lizard trapping and relocation, tree felling and service relocations on Matakana Road,” he says.