Updated: Safety upgrades on Northern Gateway toll road – updated southbound closure timing
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 1 Sept 2026 10:42am | Auckland
The southbound full closure on Wednesday 16 September will now start one hour earlier, operating from 8pm to 5am. This closure will continue to coincide with planned maintenance activities.
This updates the information below.
10 August, 10:07am
From Wednesday 26 August – Sunday 18 October, safety upgrades will be taking place on the Northern Gateway toll road between Ōrewa and Johnstone’s Hill Tunnels following the speed limit change from 100km/hr to 110km/hr.
The work will involve the installation of new side barriers, maintenance bays and drainage improvements.
The Northern Gateway is a critical link between Northland and Auckland and while these safety upgrades are essential, we are committed to reducing the disruption for motorists.
To keep traffic moving, works have been scheduled in northbound and southbound stages, with single-lane restrictions in place so people can continue to access State Highway 1 (except during the full night-time closures).
The two-staged programme is as follows:
Northbound stage – Wed 26 Aug – Tue 15 Sep
| Date | Time | Route impact | Detour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 26 Aug One-night only |
9pm–5am |
Full northbound closure | Old SH1 between Silverdale and Warkworth |
| Thu 27 Aug – Tue 15 Sep |
24/7 |
Single-lane restrictions | |
|
Tue 15 Sep One night only |
9pm–5am | Full northbound closure (coinciding with general maintenance closures) | Old SH1 between Silverdale and Warkworth |
Southbound Stage – Wed 16 Sep – Sun 18 Oct
| Date | Time | Route impact | Detour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 16 Sep One-night only |
9pm–5am | Full southbound closure (coinciding with general maintenance closures) | Old SH1 Warkworth and Silverdale |
| Thu 17 Sep – Sun 18 Oct | 24/7 | Single-lane restrictions | |
|
Sun 18 Oct One night only |
9pm–5am | Full southbound closure. | Old SH1 Warkworth and Silverdale |
When night-time full closures are in place, detours are via the old SH1 between Silverdale and Warkworth. This is because the Ōrewa interchange is not suitable for heavy vehicles unable to use Grand Drive due to weight restrictions.
Our team will be working behind temporary barriers with reduced speed limits in place for safety. Please drive with care when passing the worksite.
To minimise future disruptions, we will be carrying out other projects including vegetation control, drainage improvements and the construction of a new maintenance bay as part of the work.
This work is weather dependent and may change from advertised dates.
SH1 Northern Gateway safety improvements | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (external link)
If you would like to receive regular communications about ongoing maintenance on the Greater Auckland state highway network, sign up for regular alerts.