24 March 2005

Auckland’s SH20 Extension Crucial - Brown

New Zealand First transport spokesperson Peter Brown is urging the Government to apply pressure to Transit to ensure that the State Highway 20 Avondale extension is completed as soon as possible.

Mr Brown’s comments follow an announcement that the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is leading a scheme to improve rail services across the Auckland region, which will delay other projects like the SH20 Avondale motorway extension until 2021.

“The Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee has voted for a 10-year strategic package which would give public transport almost as much money as new roading projects.
"There is a huge amount of work that has to be done in Auckland in relation to roading and traffic flows, but it is ludicrous that ARTA will be pouring money into a public rail system which is not being used, instead of developing sub-standard and heavily congested roads,” said Mr Brown.

“The abandonment of the Avondale extension from Transit’s 10 year plan will be infuriating for motorists who face heavy congestion and traffic delays every day.

“With road congestion estimated to cost the region a billion dollars a year, completing an alternative route should be a top priority for Transit.

“The Government must ensure that priority is given to crucial roading projects in the Auckland region if it is serious about improving the region’s transport infrastructure,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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