A new 30-year strategy for Auckland’s motorway network will focus on smarter traffic management, targeted capacity increases and improvements across the wider transport system.
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has released the Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan, which aims to make better use of existing infrastructure as the city’s population grows beyond two million.
Auckland’s motorway network currently carries around 1.5 million trips each day and plays a critical role in moving people and freight.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says there are limits to how much additional motorway widening can practically be undertaken.
“In many parts of the network we’ve already widened motorways as much as is practical, so a shift towards a more balanced and strategic approach with targeted investment will play an increasingly important role.”
Bishop says the the Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan (AMSP) focuses on three core outcomes:
- Optimising the existing network – making better use of the network we’ve already got through smarter traffic management, quicker responses to crashes and breakdowns, small-scale improvements, and delivering Time of Use Charging.
- Targeted increases in capacity – adding extra capacity where bottlenecks are impacting efficiency, progressively delivering rapid transit, closing critical gaps in active mode networks where they interact with motorways, prioritising projects to increase capacity and address resilience risks.
- Wider system improvements – improving the wider transport system, including public transport capacity, rail network improvements, and local roads/active modes, so fewer trips need to use the motorway network.
“This practical, long-term approach supports the Government’s focus on improving freight efficiency, building a more resilient transport network, and supporting economic growth.
“The motorway network is only one part of Auckland’s wider transport system. Keeping Auckland moving means making sure roads, public transport, walking and cycling connections all work well together,” Bishop says.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the strategy provides a shared long-term direction for the motorway network and is another outcome of the Auckland Regional Deal.
“People and businesses want to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time getting where they need to go,” Brown says.
“This plan recognises that we can’t simply keep widening motorways forever. We need to make better use of the network we’ve got through optimisation and investing in small, sensible projects that will make the biggest difference for Aucklanders.
“It’s also about making sure roads, public transport, freight and the wider transport network work together to keep Auckland moving as the city grows.
“It aligns with my focus on low-cost fixes to get Auckland moving and deliver an efficient, reliable network that benefits Aucklanders.”
Brown says the strategy is intended to guide future investment rather than commit funding to individual projects.
“This isn’t a construction programme or a funding announcement. It’s a long-term strategy that will help shape future investment decisions as Auckland continues to grow.”
The Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan will be a key input into Auckland’s upcoming statutory 30-year transport plan.
Projects identified in the strategy will be considered through future regional and national planning, funding and delivery processes.
Investment decisions will be subject to available funding through the National Land Transport Fund and priorities set through the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
The plan is available at NZTA Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan.
