Our district is growing fast and over the next few years thousands of homes will be built bringing thousands more residents.

State Highway 16, the main route in and out of our district, is congested and dangerous.

NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) is responsible for planning, improvements, maintenance and safety on SH16.

NZTA promotes SH16 as an alternative to SH1 and it has become a popular tourist route.

Traffic congestion and public safety will get worse unless the problems are urgently addressed by NZTA.

This year construction starts on the two Special Housing Areas (SHA's) in Huapai with over 2500 houses planned. When these SHA's were announced in 2013 by the Government we were assured that infrastructure would be provided to cope with the fast-tracked housing. There are already over 1000 houses under construction or nearing completion in the area. NZTA has had three years to plan for growth and nothing substantial has happened.

Taxpayers should reasonably expect that a major State Highway will receive timely investment to cope with growth and allow residents to travel safety.

We want NZTA to;

1/. Construct four lanes SH16 from Brighams Creek to Huapai to address traffic congestion.

2/. Construct a new intersection at the junction of SH16 and Coatesville Riverhead Highway to cope with growth and improve public safety.

3/. Fast-track the Tapu Road / Station Road / SH16 Realignment.

4/. Urgently review speed limits in areas where public safety is poor, for example; Waimauku and Kaukapakapa.

5/. Construct passing lanes, guard rails and median barriers to improve public safety from Brighams Creek to Wellsford.

6/. Develop a comprehensive long term plan for SH16 working with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the Community to identify critical infrastructure and budgets for the next 15 years.