Statutory approvals have been lodged for Auckland’s long-awaited Northwest Busway under the Fast-track Approvals Act, marking what the Government says is a major milestone for the project.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has applied for approvals under the FTAA for the busway, which will run alongside State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek and the city centre.
“The project, similar to the successful Northern Busway, will provide a busway alongside State Highway 16 (SH16) between Brigham Creek and the city centre, and seven stations connected to the local bus and road network,” Bishop says.
“People in the northwest are crying out for better transport options in one of the region’s largest planned growth areas, where an additional 100,000 people, along with 40,000 new homes and 40,000 new jobs, are expected by 2051.
“Lodging under the FTAA represents progress for the Northwest Busway, which is going to provide more transport choices for communities in the northwest. This is about building the future of public transport in New Zealand. Auckland is our largest city, and this will help support jobs and drive growth.”
The Northwest Busway will include a park and ride at Brigham Creek and stations at Westgate, Royal Road, Lincoln Road, Te Atatū, Point Chevalier and Western Springs.
“The Northwest Busway includes a park and ride station at Brigham Creek and stations at Westgate, Royal Road, Lincoln Road, Te Atatū, Point Chevalier and Western Springs. It will be able to move up to 9,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the equivalent of four motorway lanes. It will also provide a reliable 25-minute journey time from Brigham Creek to the city centre – all day, every day,” Bishop says.
Construction of the Westgate Station is already under way and is expected to open later this year. Work on the Brigham Creek Station and park and ride is expected to begin next year.
“The busway will increase the capacity of State Highway 16 by nearly 20% during peak times by freeing up space on the motorway for freight and those that need it.
“Aucklanders want better, faster and more reliable public transport and this project is a priority for this Government, so I welcome the progress being made by NZTA with the lodgement of statutory approvals for the project under the FTAA.
“The approvals will enable NZTA to construct the project in stages as further funding is made available.”
Around $550 million has been allocated to the project to date, covering approvals, design and site investigations, construction of the Westgate Station and Brigham Creek Station and park and ride, and targeted property acquisition.
The northwest is home to about 90,000 people and is one of Auckland’s largest planned growth areas. About 60% of residents commute out of the area for work or education, contributing to regular congestion on the Northwestern Motorway.
The 18km corridor will require underpasses and structures to navigate motorway interchanges in a heavily built-up urban environment. The overall project has a benefit-cost ratio of 2:1, with the first stage estimated at 6.3:1.
Stage one will deliver new stations at Brigham Creek and Lincoln Road as part of a $330m to $380m package. Stage two includes a separated, bi-directional busway from Brigham Creek to Te Atatū, additional stations and a city centre connection at Newton, with an estimated investment of $4.1b to $4.6b. Point Chevalier and Western Springs stations are planned as a third stage.
The busway forms part of a wider plan to improve connections to Auckland’s transport network and complement other major projects such as the City Rail Link.
