The NZ Transport Agency has announced an estimated $4.2 billion programme of investment in Auckland over the next three years.
It is part of a $13.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport system set out in the 2015-2018 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
The NLTP is a partnership between local authorities who invest funding on behalf of ratepayers and the NZTA.
NZTA Auckland regional director Ernst Zöllner, says investment in Auckland for 2015-18 includes $1.175 billion for public transport, $960 million to maintain state highways, and $91 million to improve cycling and walking.
“The planned investment through the NLTP brings together the Western Ring Route and projects including AMETI and East West Connections which will create better and more resilient connections from north to south,” says Zollner
“This is the biggest step forward in strategic roading in Auckland in fifty years.”
He says Auckland’s future depends on a strategically aligned approach to both its motorway and local road network, along with public transport, walking and cycling networks.
Funding for key projects across Auckland includes:
- A further $960 million towards easing congestion. Local roads will receive $614m and state highways $346m for maintenance and renewals.
- Investment in the $1 billion East West Connections project to provide more efficient freight journeys to and from the Onehunga-Penrose area in South Auckland and between road and rail in the area.
- Projects in the Northern Corridor are expected to begin in the next three years, including initial construction works for a new direct motorway connection between SH1 and SH18.
- $268 million on the Southern Corridor to upgrade the primary route between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. Improvements will include additional lanes to improve safety and increase capacity, targeting a reduction in travel times by up to 30 minutes.
- $48 million to continue development of the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Road of National Significance, by extending the four-lane Northern Motorway (SH1) to Warkworth.
- A further $82 million will be co-invested by the Transport Agency and Auckland Council in the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).
- Improvements to connect the airport to SH20A to SH20 are underway at the Kirkbride Rd intersection with the provision of full motorway standard connectivity, bus shoulder lanes, and future proofing for rail to the airport.
- Continued construction of the $2.27 billion Western Ring Route including the Waterview Connection linking State Highway 20 with SH16 and 18, which is due for completion in 2017.
