Update On Key New Transport Projects In Manukau

PUHINUI INTERCHANGE

Cost $20m Responsibility: Transit NZ

The project will improve the congestion at the roundabout on the route between Manukau central and Auckland airport. An overbridge will be built as part of the interchange, which will also lead to the separation of Puhinui Rd and SH 20. The project is under construction, is on time and expected to be completed in December next year.

The intersection of Puhinui Rd and state highway 20 is one of the busiest in the country and the current intersection is inadequate to handle the growing traffic.

STATE HIGHWAY 20 - MANUKAU CENTRAL

Cost $126m Responsibility: Transit NZ

This project involves building a 4km four-lane motorway from SH1 at Manukau to the Puhinui interchange, with connections at Lambie Drive and Nesdale Ave. Work on the project may begin at the end of next year.

The Council will also be connecting Cavendish Drive to Liverpool Street at the same time. This route will replace the unsatisfactory dog leg at Redoubt Road.

EASTERN CORRIDOR EXPRESSWAY

Cost $460m + Responsibility: Transit NZ, Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council.

Currently in the phase 2 planning stage, this proposed route would extend from East Tamaki to Auckland City CBD via Panmure and St John's, with a four-lane road, a bus lane, a train route and cycle lane. The aim of the project is to cut travel times to and from the CBD, improve traffic flow in particular problem areas such as Ti Rakau Drive and help complete the Auckland region’s motorway network so that the various parts link up.

It has been proposed that the road be tolled but no final decision's been taken on that, nor on whether the road would involve private funding.

As part of the project it is likely there would be a new bridge built at Waipuna parallel to the current one and accompanied by improvements to Ti Rakau Drive.

Auckland and Manukau City Councils are calling for tenders to undertake phase 2 which will include an assessment of environmental effects and detailed designs.

WAIOURU PENINSULA INTERCHANGE

Cost $48m Responsibility: Transit NZ, Manukau City Council

Planning for the proposed new road and connection to the southern motorway from Waiouru Peninsular at East Tamaki is firming up. All but one appeal to the planning consents have been settled and the Environment Court is hearing the final appeal.

Most of the land required has been bought and construction is due to start next year. The interchange is due for completion in 2005/6.

This road will provide fast access for traffic heading to and from the rapidly- growing area of East Tamaki, which will continue growing in coming years and create more than 15,000 new jobs within the next decade. The road will also divert heavy industrial traffic from residential streets in East Tamaki and Otara.

It will provide access to and from a new hi-tech business park called Highbrook which is being developed on farmland on the peninsula. Highbrook will be the largest business park of its kind in Australasia and will be unique in having businesses surrounded by greenery and an elaborately landscaped environment, with individual buildings hidden behind mass tree plantings.

IMPROVEMENT TO GREAT SOUTH ROAD, MANUREWA

Cost $ 4.5 million Responsibility: Manukau City Council

The upgrade of the section of Great South Road between Browns Road and the southern motorway off-ramp at Wiri is progressing well and due for completion by May next year.

The project will result in four lanes for traffic, a cycleway and new bridge and signals at the Kerrs Rd intersection .

MANUKAU RAIL LINK

Cost $40m Responsibility: ARTNL

Construction of the new rail line from Manukau City Centre to join up with Main Trunk Line at Wiri is likely to start in 2003/4 and is due for completion in 2007/8. A new station will be built at Manukau City Centre opposite the Manukau courthouse building.

The Wiri - Manukau rail link is just the first stage of the rail upgrade. The second stage will see the construction of a link between the city centre through Botany and Pakuranga to Panmure.

Applications for funding of the construction of earthworks for the rail link have been lodged with Infrastructure Auckland.

This new link is part of an upgrade of rail transport throughout the Auckland region which will see much improved tracks, stations and trains. Once it's complete, the 40 stations being upgraded will be clean and well maintained and the carriages will be modern and comfortable. There'll be secure park-and-ride facilities at stations. Services will run every 7-8 minutes at peak times, compared to once every 15 minutes currently, and at other times every 15 minutes. The weekend services will be frequent and there'll also be late night trains.

Papatoetoe railway station is one of the first 3 stations being upgraded, beginning next year. Final designs are now being drawn up.

HALF MOON BAY FERRY TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT

Cost: $4.2m Responsibility: ARTNL/ Manukau City Council

The ferry terminal upgrade is long overdue and the detailed design process is underway. It is part of an expansion of ferry services and facilities regionally across the Waitemata Harbour.

There will be a new pier and terminal building at Half Moon Bay, with new parking facilities. The terminal will extend out over the water and house ticket offices for Fuller's and Subritzky Lines, and administrative facilities for Subritizky Lines. Lighting, access, information services and boarding facilities will be improved and refreshments will be available.

The regional ferry project will link all the wharves around the Waitemata including North Shore terminals.

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the transport changes underway in Manukau are long overdue.

"The various parts of the region are inter-linked, so co-ordinated planning is necessary. With new highways linking to the current motorways, new bus and ferry services and a much improved train service, we'll soon have the kind of transport network we should have had decades ago.

"The inadequate transport network we have now is holding back the region. We have too many logjams and travelling times are too long. The system can’t cope with current traffic, let alone the extra demand from the 20,000 rise in population each year. We’re reliant primarily on roads and on one major traffic route in particular, the southern motorway.

“It's made us very vulnerable but with the steps we are taking we're moving closer each year to a transport system that gives the public more choices and better meets the needs of a fast-growing region.”

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