Transit New Zealand
Auckland Regional Office

7 September 2005

Media Release

Transit moving on tunnel option for Victoria Park motorway

Transit New Zealand is pushing ahead with work on its Harbour Bridge to City project, which will involve the construction of a northbound tunnel under Victoria Park. The project, links directly into Central Motorway Junction, which is currently being upgraded.

Some 165,000 vehicles pass through this section of motorway – stretching from the Wellington Street overbridge to the Harbour Bridge - every day.

Transit is presently undertaking field investigations involving geotechnical testing of earth and ground water to establish the quality of soil conditions under Victoria Park. “We need to fully understand the environment in which we will be building Auckland’s first urban motorway tunnel,” explains regional manager, Richard Hancy.

At the same time, Transit is continuing to consult with various interested parties including the local community and authorities. The Auckland Regional Council, Auckland City Council and North Shore City Council have all given their backing to the tunnel option. This consultation, including one on one meetings and ‘open days’, will be held during September and October.

Thereafter, Transit will apply for the consents to secure the land required and to build the tunnel with the aim of starting construction in 2008. Completion of the project is scheduled three years later in 2011 at an estimated cost of $300M.

ENDS

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