Freight and transport operators CentrePort say the development of the long-awaited transmission gully route out of Wellington is positive, and will see 730,000 heavy vehicles a year using the road.
CentrePort chief executive Blair O’Keeffe says the highway will boost the resilience of the regional economy by making it easier to move freight and people more efficiently.
“Transmission Gully was an important investment representing part of a suite of critical roading solutions needed for the region, including Levin to air and sea ports, and the much needed Grenada to Seaview highway,” says O’Keeffe.
“With our property, infrastructure, and transport assets, we are a critical part of the national transport strategy – a vital cog to keep New Zealand moving.”
“We have long been a supporter of Transmission Gully and we’re delighted that we’re seeing real progress in its development.”
CentrePort is New Zealand’s third largest port and continues to grow, with the freight task anticipated to double over the next two decades.
The Environmental Protection Authority last week confirmed an independent board of inquiry will give consent for the building of the highway, which will bypass the coastal area north of the capital, where traffic botttlenecks are frequent.
The Transport Agency says the decision means that while the road can now proceed to construction, it will still have to go through the funding process.
The project has been criticised by many environmentalists for favouring motorways over public transport and adding to greenhouse gas emissions, but business and political groups in Wellington applaud the decision.
