Albany Highway North reconstruction

Auckland Transport plans to upgrade the 4km stretch of Albany Highway between the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) and Dairy Flat Highway (SH17).

Latest updates

Auckland Transport is currently working to complete the design and land purchase phase of this project before construction can begin.

The work includes:

• finalising land purchase negotiations
• obtaining land owner agreements with affected parties
• obtaining outstanding consents such as Outline Plan of Works (OPW), Building consent for retaining walls
• obtaining NZTA funding

Construction will begin following the completion of these key tasks, and is currently programmed to begin after mid-2013 and is expected to take two years to complete.

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Landowner communications

The detailed design of the Albany Highway upgrade is now substantially completed and we have been able to identify directly affected properties.

As part of the road widening, we will need to do some work within some private properties to either:

• Re-grade driveways to ensure practical and safe ingress and egress to and from the road

• Replace or provide a new fence along the property boundary for privacy or noise mitigation purposes

• Replace or provide new mitigation planting within your property for amenity or noise mitigation purposes

• Install retaining walls along the boundary line due to the road widening and level changes

• Provide underground power/telecommunication connections to private properties as a result of the undergrounding of the existing overhead lines which will improve the amenity of the area.

• Undertake mitigation works as a result of any land purchase agreements

If you have been identified as an affected landowner, you will have received a letter from Auckland Transport and its design consultant, GHD, outlining the effects on your property and how you can contact us to discuss this further.

If you have received a letter, please take the time to review the information and arrange for a member of our project team to meet and discuss the road works with you.

As part of this process we would like to obtain:

• Landowner consent to enter properties where work is required

• Landowner agreement and understanding of the required works within the property

Project overview

About 15,000 vehicles, as well as cyclists and pedestrians, use Albany Highway every day. This regional arterial road serves the North Harbour industrial estate, five schools, Massey University, and a cluster of residential estates. 

An upgrade of the highway is essential for reducing congestion, improving safety for all road users (including the area’s 5,000 school students) and encouraging the use of all modes of transport.

Features

• The road will be widened to include a traffic lane, a T3 transit lane (for buses and vehicles with three or more people), on and off road cycle facilities and a wider footpath in both directions

• Roundabouts will be changed to signalised intersections

• A new four-lane bridge will be built over Oteha Stream

• Overhead power and telecommunication lines will be put underground and new landscaping will make the area more attractive

• New medians will make the road safer and plants will make it more attractive

• Stormwater pipes will be upgraded to help reduce pollution from the road flowing into local streams.

Background

In 2005, North Shore City Council proposed an upgrade of Albany Highway to reduce congestion and improve safety.

The initial proposal included constructing a four-lane highway with improved pedestrian, cycling and public transport infrastructure, and staging construction over a number of years.

In 2007, the council went to the community to get feedback on this proposal. The council received 179 responses, with the majority strongly advocating for:

• upgrading the designated stretch of highway in one go – completing it in stages would be too disruptive
• more emphasis on improving safety for school children, particularly those who walk or cycle to school

This feedback, along with significant council and governmental policy changes and the need to minimise adverse effects while balancing the future needs of traffic and the community, led to a comprehensive redesign of Albany Highway in 2007.

In 2010, the council went back to the community to ask for its input on a new design. Information leaflets were distributed, open days were held, a library display was set up and there was coverage in the local newspapers asking locals for their feedback. Meetings were also held with property owners directly affected by the works.

The council received 59 responses and as a result a number of changes were made to the design concept.

Reducing the number of vehicles using the highway will help to ease congestion, both now and when the upgrade is under way. Consider whether taking an alternative mode of travel is an option to you

We recommend:

• Catching a bus. School buses currently run between local schools and Devonport, Northcote, Greenhithe/West Harbour, East Coast Bays, and Coatesville/Kumeu. Contact your school for information about these services or visit www.AT.co.nz for public bus timetables and route information.

• Carpooling. Where possible take passengers or visit "Let's Carpool " to find or share a ride.

• Making the most of the warmer weather by walking or cycling if you live nearby.

• Visiting www.nhba.org.nz for info about the transport initiatives offered by the North Harbour Business Association.

• Visiting www.lookbeforeyouleave.co.nz to view real time traffic cameras in the North Harbour area including on Albany Highway.