Media Release
30 June 2006

Motorway Connection and Rail Link Will Transform Manukau

Construction of the Manukau Motorway Extension and rail link will transform the Manukau city centre, Sir Barry Curtis says.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis, Transport Minister Annette King and Transit Chief Executive Rick van Barneveld turned the first sod for the Manukau Motorway Extension today. The new 4.5km, four-lane section of motorway will connect SH20 from its existing end point at the Puhinui interchange, to the southern motorway beside the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Construction will begin in July and is due for completion in December 2010.

“This project will create the southern entry to the western ring route, the motorway that will eventually provide an alternative to State Highway One. But work is also beginning on the Manukau rail link, which will be an essential element of the upgraded Auckland rail system.

“Manukau city centre will be transformed with much improved transport links. The traffic will be taken off Wiri Station Rd and land freed up for more businesses, apartments, shops and entertainment,” Sir Barry says.

“This is a long-awaited project and a lot of effort has gone into getting to the point we’re at today. I am also extremely gratified the Government has made the Manukau rail link a priority in its rail upgrade,” he says.

The Manukau rail link will be a 1.8km connection between the existing main trunk line at Wiri and a station at Manukau city centre. Enabling earthworks will be done at the same time as the new motorway road which will run parallel to it. Manukau City Council has committed $40 million to the project, which also includes stormwater upgrades and local roading improvements.

Sir Barry says the new motorway will make a major difference for people travelling to the airport, the Wiri industrial area, Manukau city centre and beyond.

ENDS

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