30 June 2006

Transit NZ brings good news to Waitakere

Transit NZ’s State Highway Forecast means good news for Waitakere City with the Hobsonville Deviation being brought forward to 2006/07.

Construction on the deviation was to have started on the State Highway 18 Hobsonville Deviation in 2008/09, but now Transit has advised that earthworks and storm water pond construction will happen in 2006/07.

The project will also include detailed design of the highway. Construction of the deviation is expected to start in October 2007 and may take over four years depending on the weather with a projected completion date of 2011/12.

“It is great news that Transit NZ will make a start on this project in 2006/07. It is encouraging that Transit has responded to our residents’ concerns,” says Councillor Penny Hulse.

“Bringing forward the starting date means that there is an end in sight to the congestion that is currently the bane of commuting motorists along Hobsonville Road. It also provides certainty for the proposed developments at Hobsonville airbase and Westgate,” she says.

Construction of the Northwestern Motorway ramp signalling has been brought forward by one year to 2006/07.

“We are aware that Transit needs to learn from its ramp signalling experiences on the Southern Motorway before rolling this out here,” says Councillor Hulse.

There is also encouraging news about the upgrades of the Te Atatu and Lincoln interchanges.

“We understand that consideration will be given to the upgrade of Te Atatu Interchange and Lincoln Interchanges during the investigation of the Waterview to Te Atatu eight-lane project and Te Atatu to Royal six-lane project. The investigation is due to start next month,” says Councillor Hulse.

“This is significantly better than previous years' forecasts and gives us the opportunity to work with Transit to demonstrate the extent of the problem. Once the investigation confirms this, we can lobby for advancing this project,”

The westbound off-ramp upgrade at Te Atatu is still in the second five years of the plan.

“The overall message from Transit is that it is targeting congestion and considers Western Ring Route as a national high priority. Transit has proposed to toll the whole of the Western Ring Route to enable completion in 2015. Residents have already raised a number of concerns about the toll and possible effects on local roads. We are waiting to hear details from Transit of its proposed toll scheme.“

ENDS

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