Tunnel Option Must Be Considered For Basin Reserve And Memorial Park

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce will be urging the government to consider the underground option for both the Basin Reserve and Buckle Street sections of State Highway One. The issue was discussed at the Chamber’s Infrastructure Committee meeting yesterday.

“If Buckle Street is to be trenched under the new Memorial Park, as was reported in the Dominion Post in March, it makes sense to investigate the possibilities of continuing the tunnel past the Basin rather than building a flyover in between two tunnels,” said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

“While the tunnel option may cost more it is likely to be the best solution in the longer term. It is also the quickest and easiest in terms of consent as it would impact on fewer people and be least disruptive visually.

“We have learned from the Karo Drive Bypass mistake the costs of taking shortcuts. The decision not to trench that section of State Highway One is one that road users and pedestrians are already regretting due to ongoing traffic delays and environmental costs.

“The Wellington economy relies on an efficient transport system to improve the flow of goods and services and people. This is also a crucial part of the Road of National Significance connecting the airport to the lower North Island.

“As the population grows more and people are going to use this stretch of road and so it is important to make the decision in the long term interests of the region and the country,” Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

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