AA welcomes Auckland City’s Avondale Extension Decision

The AA welcomes Auckland City Council’s decision to approve in principle the State Highway 20 extension through Avondale to Waterview.

“Tonight’s decision by the council is great news for motorists and brings the completion of the Western Ring Route one step closer,” says the AA’s spokesperson Simon Lambourne.

The 5km long extension is the largest and most ambitious construction project in Auckland since the Harbour Bridge in the 1960s.

The Waterview route is Transit New Zealand’s preferred option. It will provide a faster motorway alternative for 20,000 vehicles each day that currently use Spaghetti Junction and exit/enter the southern motorway at Gillies Ave/Greenlane, heading towards Onehunga and the airport.

Construction of the Avondale extension is scheduled to start in 2009/2010 and the project will be completed in 2014/2015.

“While tonight’s decision is welcomed, there can be no room for complacency. The council’s approval is conditional upon Transit undertaking numerous mitigation and enhancement measures,” says Mr Lambourne.

“The AA urges everyone involved in this project to commit to building the extension as quickly as possible. Motorists have already waited a long time for this extension – the last thing we need is further delays,” says Mr Lambourne.

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