State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road Intersection upgrade

About this project

We have started work on the State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road intersection to address safety and capacity issues and unlock housing potential in Ōmokoroa.

The upgrade will include:

a new interim roundabout at the State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road intersection with four-lane tapers and highway improvements
four-laning on Ōmokoroa Road from SH2 to Prole Road
a new roundabout, servicing the industrial area, at the future Francis Road intersection.
the closure and relocation of driveways opposite the state highway intersection onto Youngson Road.

This is a minimum 10-year interim solution to address the immediate needs of the intersection, until funding becomes available to build a full interchange.

What's happening now?

You may have seen we have shifted a lot of dirt over the past few months.

In fact, since clearing all the trees and vegetation, the teams have shifted around 14000 cubic metres of dirt and continue to make fantastic progress on the roundabout build.

The first two layers of aggregate has been laid and now the mammoth job of the installation of services including power and water is now in full swing. This is a huge undertaking because of the number of services that will need to be moved in and around the site and state highway. This work now will set up the opportunity for housing and development in the future.

Youngson Road closure

As part of this important project, our teams will need to close Youngson Road for four weeks (from 25 September through to approximately 26 October).

Up until now the teams have been able to complete the work mostly offline, some of this work has included drainage and an early pavement layer near the intersection of SH2 and Ōmokoroa Rd.

This closure is to enable our teams to get stuck into more earthworks and install critical services such as power and fibre, and the safest and most efficient way to do this is away from traffic.

Those who live near, or along Youngson Road during this time will need to take the signposted detour mapped out below.

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact us on 0800 926 732 or email info@westernbay.govt.nz

Housing development

The current intersection is a barrier to critical development required to support population growth in Ōmokoroa, and the wider region. The upgrade enables development to occur across the Peninsula by improving the existing safety and capacity issues at the intersection.

This project also provides developers across the Peninsula with the certainty they need.

When the upgrade is complete, more than 900 new homes are expected to be built by 2029 - including a mix of standalone homes, affordable homes and medium density housing.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the upgrades needed?

Ōmokoroa is one of Western Bay’s fastest growing communities and by 2050, the Ōmokoroa Peninsula will be fully developed and home to an estimated 13,000 residents. This means we will need more housing, and a safer intersection that will be able to support future growth.

How much will the intersection upgrades cost?

In July 2022, Council was allocated $38million for the project from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, which is administered by Kāinga Ora on behalf of the Crown. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will also contribute $5 million to the upgrade, and supply land worth $1.49 million.

Construction of two roundabouts and one being on a State Highway is not as simple as drawing a circle on the road. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, including relocation of services, consents, safety checks and the list goes on.

As the project progresses, we will break down the costs to understand where this money is being spent.

How is the $43m allocated?

Interim works (estimate: $20-24 million)

SH2 / Ōmokoroa Roadroundabout including four-lane tapers
Four-laning into Ōmokoroa
10-15-year design life
Provides safety and access
Actual expected life depends on Takitimu North Link Stage 2 approval
Enables housing as per Council's Plan Change 92 and Medium Density Residential Standards

Permanent works (estimate: $16-20 million)

Roundabout servicing the industrial area, at the future Francis Road intersection
Four-laning Ōmokoroa Road to Prole Road - full urbanisation
Meets District Plan requirements
Underground services including power, fibre and water

Other costs - which are largely linked to the permanent works (estimate: $3-5 million)

Land and legal
Contingency
Stormwater pond

When will construction of the roundabout start?

Preparing for construction has started, with the removal of the trees around the intersection. Next steps will be acquiring the right consents and completing the designs. Once this is done we will share the designs with the community, host an drop in community event and then be able to confirm the dates for further construction.

Is this a permanent solution, or an interim solution?

This is an interim solution. The roundabouts are being designed and constructed in a way that addresses the immediate needs of the intersection and makes it easier to build the full interchange as part of Takitimu North Link Stage Two once funding becomes available.

Is the park and ride being moved?

Yes, it will be moved up the State Highway 2 near Prole Road. We moved this in July to make way for the next stage of enabling works.

Where has the Lizard rock gone from the Ōmokoroa sign?

It is to go into safe storage. Its future use as artwork will be organised with Public Art Ōmokoroa who will liaise with Pirirākau hapū, with the expectation of it being moved to its new home by the end of the project.

What will be the traffic impact during the early work stages?

During the early works, there will be minimal traffic impacts or works on the road. It can be done all offline. In 2024, there may be some traffic management in place around the carpark. We will keep the community updated once we know when, and if this will be needed.

What else will change in the permanent layout of the intersection?

We are still working through the final design. There may be additional changes to the location of bus stops and all the existing parking. The changes will be finalised once the design has been confirmed.

How is the work being funded?

This $43 million infrastructure project has been allocated $38 million of Crown funding from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, along with $5 million from NZTA. NZTA will also contribute land worth $1.49m, and Council will contribute additional land worth $1.93m.

What is the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund?

The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund is administered by Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities on behalf of the Crown.

It is designed to help local councils fund critical infrastructure – such as transport, water or flood management – to unlock development and enable new homes to be built in areas of high housing need.

Is this project part of the Waihi to Ōmokoroa project?

This project is separate to the Waihi to Ōmokoroa project. We will be working closely alongside NZTA throughout the project however as the roundabout will be at the intersection of State Highway 2.