Prime Minister confirms SH1-20 East West Connection as a project of national significance –
“gives the project needed certainty”.

David Aitken, National Road Carriers chief executive, was welcoming today’s announcement that the project would go through a streamlined consenting process later this year to bring forward its construction.

“This project has been on Auckland’s books since the 1960s. Making it a project of national significance with a consent hearing this year will give the freight sector confidence that this critical missing piece of infrastructure will finally get built.”

“With heavy congestion on local roads most working days and expectations that freight and truck activity will double over the next 20 years, some smart and innovative design is required if the goal of a single, integrated freight corridor that has seamless connections to the existing network (SH1 & SH20) is to be achieved.”

Meantime, NRC welcomed confirmation that the New Zealand Transport Agency will start early project work later this year on widening State Highway 20 between Neilson Street and Queenstown Road.
This is integral to the wider East-West Connection and will support traffic growth when the Waterview Tunnels open.

Today’s announcement will give the freight sector and other businesses in the industrial suburbs along the northern edge of the Mangere Inlet confidence that there is progress in sight to halt the spread of congestion through the working day. “This area is home to logistics businesses that employ around 64,000 people (second only to central Auckland) and make a critical contribution to the Auckland and national economy.”

“It is gratifying that Government has recognized the importance of this work by elevating the East West Connection project to ‘national significance’ status. Freight moves the Auckland and New Zealand economy. The road network linking the freight distribution companies located around Southdown and Onehunga with the rest of Auckland is critical to the efficient functioning of Auckland’s day-to-day economy, as are the daily freight trips that are generated from this area that service the provincial centres of Auckland’s neighbour regions.”

National Road Carriers would be keeping a close eye on the projects progress, concluded Mr Aitken.

ENDS

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