Find out about the Ōpāheke Road to Great South Road project

Between 18 May and 19 June 2020, we asked for feedback on proposals to create safe walking and cycling paths along Ōpāheke Road, Ponga Road and Waihoehoe Road.

We’re now proposing to extend the separated walking and cycling path into Papakura from Ōpāheke Road to Great South Road. To accommodate the new walking and cycling path we’ll need to widen the intersection at Ōpāheke Road and Settlement Road. (external link)

Map and project description [PDF, 958 KB](external link).

Ōpāheke Road and Settlement Road intersection

This is part of the Ōpāheke Road to Great South Road project, along with a range of other proposed road improvements, planned over the next 10-30 years to support growth in Drury.

We’re currently investigating the land that will be needed to widen the Ōpāheke Road and Settlement Road intersection in the future.

Our preferred option is to protect the land for a future roundabout on the southern side of Ōpāheke Road because it will:

• make it safer for all road users (pedestrians, bikes and vehicles) and
• minimise the impact on the Papakura Cemetery.

We’re currently talking to landowners about protecting the land for this project well in advance of its construction in the future.

We recognise that traffic patterns and demands are likely to change over time and the form and function of the Ōpāheke Road and Settlement Road intersection may need to be reviewed. In the future, when the final design is confirmed and the project is closer to being constructed, there will be further opportunities for community engagement. 

Future transport – what’s happening in Drury–Ōpāheke?

We’ve proposed transport improvements to be built in the future within the Drury-Ōpāheke area to give people more active transport choices, allow them to walk or cycle to public transport and connect to where they need to go. These include:

• Upgrading State Highway 22.
• A new Ōpāheke North-South connection and upgrade to Waihoehoe Road.
• Upgrading Jesmond Road, Auranga Road 1 and Bremner Road.
• Upgrading Bremner and Norrie Road (east).
• Widening Ōpāheke Road to Great South Road, Ponga Road and Waihoehoe Road.

We’re planning now so that essential infrastructure is in place before development starts on Drury’s future town centre and future housing in surrounding areas. Over the next 30 years, the Drury – Ōpāheke structure plan will create new housing for a population of about 60,000.

This new population will increase transport trips for employment, education, and retail purposes in and around the Drury, Ōpāheke and Papakura area. Ōpāheke Road will be a key route for walking and cycling, as well as vehicle and bus trips. The proposed upgrades to Ōpāheke Road will add safe off-road walking and cycling facilities to help meet future demand.

Community engagement

We’re currently talking to landowners about protecting the land needed in the future to widen Ōpāheke Road to Great South Road, including the intersection at Ōpāheke Road and Settlement Road, and what this may mean for their properties.

Construction of transport projects is expected over the next 10-30 years as Auckland Council rezones land in the Drury-Ōpāheke area for urban development. As our proposals progress, there will be opportunities for community engagement in the future when these transport projects are required. 

In the meantime, if you would like further information, contact us at info@supportinggrowth.nz or call 0800 GROW AKL.