Transport Minister – Moving Auckland forward

Auckland Mayor John Banks today said he was enormously encouraged by the Minister of Transport Paul Swain’s keenness to get results in his new portfolio.

Mr Banks’ comments came at an official Transit New Zealand gathering where the Minister was in Auckland to mark the start of construction on the first stage of Auckland’s Central Motorway (Spaghetti) Junction.

“This project is another major step in moving Auckland forward. Unlocking the gridlock around Spaghetti Junction is one part of Auckland’s much needed triple bypass.

“With Paul Swain an enthusiastic advocate for network completion, we have a rare Auckland-Wellington accord. There is a real opportunity for action to complete our long-planned motorway network by 2007,” said Mr Banks.

Today’s start of construction closely follows the commencement of the major roading project at Grafton Gully. The Auckland Mayor said he looked forward to the pace of works around Auckland increasing over the summer months, pointing to the Richardson Road section of SH20 and the Upper Harbour corridor of SH16.

He also voiced his enthusiasm for the advent of public-private partnerships. “I look forward to the Government introducing legislation that will allow for innovative funding to speed up the completion of the motorway network. The Auckland City Council is also doing some work on streamlining the consent process.”

The Mayor applauded the team approach in getting the CMJ project to where it is, but said work does not end with roads. Much effort is also going into improving public transport as part of the integrated transport solution for Auckland.

“The CMJ project is no ordinary roading project. It is an important part of the greater vision to make Auckland internationally competitive and a great place to live, work and invest,” concluded Mr Banks.

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