Auckland’s transport network is set for partially tunnelled light rail from the city centre to the airport which could eventually integrate with a new Waitematā Harbour crossing.
The Government confirmed that as its preferred option in a Friday announcement which will be part of a 30-year rapid transport plan for the city and will become New Zealand’s largest ever infrastructure project.
Early stage consenting and works has been pitched for 2023 while full construction is expected to take six to eight years.
The 24km light rail route will run underground from Wynyard Quarter in the CBD to Mt Roskill before surfacing and running alongside SH20 to the airport.
It will be capable of carrying up to 15,000 passengers per hour at peak, which is four times more passengers than a dedicated busway or trackless trams.
It was one of three options presented to Cabinet last year and was recommended by the Auckland Light Rail Establishment Unit with an expected cost of $14.6 billion.
A cheaper option included light rail along Dominion Rd featuring a modern tram and following the motorway with a cost of $9b.
The most expensive option, costing $16.3b, proposed light metro along Sandringham Rd to go underground in a tunnel under the isthmus, Māngere and Onehunga Town Centres and was to come up to the street level in other areas.
The selected light rail option will see transport available every five minutes with around 18 stops and is promising to cut travel times in half from the city centre to the airport.
The project is also expected to create up to 97,000 new jobs and 66,000 homes by 2051.
Finance and infrastructure minister Grant Robertson says the work is about “preparing for and safeguarding” the country’s economic future with Auckland’s population projected to rise to two million by early next decade.
“In order to move two million people around our largest city safely and efficiently, we need well-planned and connected infrastructure.
“We are not going to repeat the mistakes of ad hoc planning and a scramble to build infrastructure when it is too late – this rapid transit system is about making sure Auckland is able to flourish as it grows.
“We have deliberately chosen this option for Auckland light rail that will integrate with other major infrastructure projects across Auckland, like the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing, the Auckland Rapid Transit Plan and Kāinga Ora Large Scale Projects,” Robertson says.
Transport minister Michael Wood says a linked-up rapid transit network will serve Aucklanders into the future and reduce congestion.
“Alongside the City Rail Link, the underground network will bring Aucklanders transport infrastructure into the 21st century, allowing faster trips and reduced emissions.
“City Rail Link is the heart of Auckland’s transport network, and light rail will now form the spine of what will be a fully integrated rapid transport network that will lead us into the future,” Wood says.
New harbour crossing
Meanwhile, public consultation on options for the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing will begin this year on what could be a new bridge or tunnel, with a preferred option selected in 2023.
This would integrate with light rail and with new rapid transit to the North Shore and northwest.
“To kick the can down the road could either preclude a second crossing from being a possibility in the future, or require what will be established transport infrastructure to be reconstructed meaning additional costs,” Wood says.
“The Northern Busway is growing by 20 per cent a year and will run out of capacity in 10-15 years, so new transport options for the future are needed, and the planning must begin now. This decision alongside the City Rail Link means that we can now ensure rapid transit to the North as well as the South, East and West.
“Addressing future disruption is front of mind for the Government, and designing a support package alongside business will be a major part of this engagement in 2022. We are making a commitment to businesses in the area that significant disruption will be addressed through a comprehensive package, including direct financial support.
‘Given up believing’
National Party transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says the Government has “delivered more metres of press release about light rail than actually getting anything done”.
“This plan has been through so many iterations, Aucklanders have given up believing the Government when they make transport announcements.
“The number one priority for Aucklanders is a second Harbour Crossing for both public transport and private vehicles.
“Some better ways to improve Auckland’s transport network for far less cost and disruption are things like building a busway to the west, completing the Eastern Busway, expanding the Auckland ferry network and building a rail spur from Puhinui to the airport to connect our airport with the main rail line.
“We need less spin and more delivery,” Brown says.
Meanwhile, Act Party transport spokesperson Simon Court says “New Zealanders from the Waikato to Southland will be paying for Auckland light rail”.
He points to the Government’s Cabinet papers which say a significant proportion of the capital costs associated with the project will be paid for by the Crown.
“New Zealanders will be questioning the regional balance. It isn’t good enough to allow billions to be raised from other regions to pay for a single project in Auckland.
“Even worse, four years after Jacinda Ardern’s election promise, the Government still doesn’t know who will pay and in what proportions.
“Altogether, the light rail saga is proof we need to get politicians out of transport and infrastructure decision-making to get better long-term outcomes,” Court says.
