Penlink

O Mahurangi Penlink[1] (State Highway 19), is a future state highway[2] that is expected to open in 2026.[3] Once completed the new state highway will create a more direct and quicker route between the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and central Auckland in New Zealand.

For the manufacturer of surveillance products, see Pen-Link, Ltd.

State Highway 19 shield}}
State Highway 19
O Mahurangi - Penlink
State Highway 19 route
Route information
Maintained by NZ Transport Agency
Length7 km (4.3 mi)
Major junctions
South end SH 1 at Dairy Flat
North endWhangaparaoa Road at Stanmore Bay
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Primary
destinations		Whangaparaoa, Stillwater
Highway system

Concept

The road would provide a second access route off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, and is claimed by some to be needed to unlock large amounts of commercial land, contribute up to $173 million to GDP during its construction, and create employment estimated at more than 5000 jobs.

The project's planning was originally being undertaken by Rodney District Council, Auckland Regional Council, and Transit New Zealand before 2010. With the creation of the Auckland Supercity on 1 November 2010, the project now sits with Auckland Council and its transport entity Auckland Transport.

Penlink would be approximately 7 km long and connect Whangaparaoa Peninsula with State Highway 1 at Redvale, effectively connecting the urban area of Hibiscus Coast and Bays, which runs from Waiwera south down the eastern coastline to Campbells Bay. The region's potential growth is hampered by the Silverdale Motorway Interchange which is the traffic pinch point. Penlink addresses this and will include other modes such as public transport, walking and cycling.

Initially proposed as a toll road, it was later envisaged that it would be paid for by a part of the income from a regional fuel tax;[4] but in 2018 it was again changed to the toll option.[5]

In 2020, it was announced that the New Zealand Government would fund the road through the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.[6]

Status
  • All the land has been designated and property purchased.
  • Auckland Council owns the project and ratepayers will be reimbursed all costs to date.
  • Penlink is funded through the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, and managed by the NZ Transport Agency (formerly managed by Auckland Transport).
  • Construction began in late 2022,[3] with the road projected to open from 2026.[7]

References
  1. "Penlink update June 2022". createsend.com. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  2. "O Mahurangi Penlink Alignment General Arrangement" (PDF). NZTA. July 2023.
  3. "O Mahurangi Penlink - December 2022". createsend.com. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  4. Dearnaley, Mathew (7 October 2008). "Regional fuel tax to help fund Penlink". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  5. Newson, Rhonwyn. "Penlink downscaled and pushed back to end of the decade". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. Orsman, Bernard (30 January 2020). "Jacinda Ardern kicks off the election campaign pledging billions of dollars for new roads". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  7. "Penlink: Frequently asked questions". NZTA. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
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