NZTA ready for challenge to fast track key Auckland projects

The NZ Transport Agency says necessary preliminary work is underway to respond to the Government’s transport package for Auckland.

The Prime Minister today announced that the programme of further transport investment includes:-

• Accelerating critical State Highway improvements in the north, south and west (airport)
• Improving bus access to and in the City Centre
• Confirming that tunnels will form the next Waitemata Harbour Crossing
• Accelerating AMETI ( Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative) and the east-west connection between the Southern and Southwestern motorways
• Confirming the City Rail Link should be built.

“Aucklanders every day can see the benefits of the huge investment that’s already been made in the city’s highways, arterials and public transport infrastructure, but we’re not there yet. The next step is to make it even better, and planning and delivering these accelerated projects will go a long way to achieving that,” says the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town.  

Mr Town says today’s announcement provides strong support for the Auckland Integrated Transport Programme, which already contains all of these projects in some form. 

“The confirmation to accelerate key projects allows the NZTA and Auckland Transport to prepare these projects for delivery with much greater confidence, especially those projects that are already in early design phases such as the State Highway improvements along the southern and northern corridors.”

Mr Town says that many of the projects also complement wider transport objectives to improve regional  connections north and south of Auckland with the development of the Waikato Expressway and the northern motorway extension from Puhoi to Wellsford.  

“We have already demonstrated an excellent track record for completing motorway and public transport projects for the city and delivering value for money. Many have been finished ahead of schedule and under budget – and we’re ready for this new challenge to further accelerate planning and delivery.” says Mr Town.