MEDIA RELEASE
"The
Government’s $2.6 billion commitment to Auckland’s overwhelmed transport system
is a well-balanced package of investment in road, rail and bus. Combined with
consents for the East-West strategic link, expected later this year, this will
deliver benefits inside and outside the boundaries of our largest city,"
says the CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand, Stephen Selwood.
A billion dollars has
been committed to developing the Mill Rd corridor, which will duplicate a large
portion of State Highway 1, freeing up New Zealand’s most important freight
corridor and providing for new housing development.
A further $100 million
has been allocated to construction of a third rail line through the busiest
part of the rail network. Recent analysis has shown this will deliver a strong
economic benefit by improving freight access to and from port facilities and
reducing interruption to commuter services.
"Both these
projects are about reducing the choking effect Auckland is having on national
transport movements and will deliver wider supply chain benefits to the
national economy.
"The remaining and
greater share of the investment is to be committed to rapid transit in the
west, east and south via a new busway to growth areas in the north-west, an
injection into the long delayed AMETI eastern busway and electrification of
rail from Papakura to Pukekohe.
"This is a
comprehensive response to NZIER’s finding that congestion is costing all of New
Zealand around $2 billion every year.
"One project not
featured in today’s announcement is the critical East-West Link. We’ve all
experienced the positive benefit of the Waterview Connection, but the only new
strategic capacity we’re assuming on the isthmus over the next 30 years is the
East-West Link.
"This vital
corridor will deliver almost $2 of benefit for every dollar invested by opening
up New Zealand’s most important industrial zone.
"These benefits do
not even include the resilience of connecting State Highway 1 and State Highway
20, the value of retaining long term capability to connect further east or the
environmental benefits of fixing up a former rubbish dump on the edge of the
Manukau harbour.
"It is vital that
resource consents for this project are granted. Once in place, the East-West
Link and other projects announced today will have a lasting positive impact on
movements to, from, through and within our largest city," Selwood says.
ENDS
For further information and comment contact
Stephen Selwood on 021 791 209