MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND REGIONAL OFFICE

3 April 2008

Waterview Connection Comments Close 11 April

People have about a week left to have their say on the Waterview Connection tunnel proposal, with comments closing next Friday, 11 April.

In February, Transit announced it is proposing a tunnel to connect SH20 at Mt Roskill to the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) at Waterview.

Principal project manager, Clive Fuhr said hundreds of comments had already come in but he hoped more people would take the opportunity to have their say.

“We’ve had several hundred comment forms come back and on top of that we’ve had more than four hundred people attend community information days about the project to find out what’s proposed and how it might affect them,” he said.

“It’s been very worthwhile meeting with local people affected by the proposal and finding out their issues which will be able to address more fully when we have a confirmed project”, he said

Generally, people are favouring the tunnel proposal over the earlier surface option because the tunnel has less effect on reserves and Oakley Creek and minimises community disruption.

“People can get their comments to us anyway that works for them- by letter, fax or email to waterview.conection@transit.govt.nz or by using the freepost form at the back of the project brochure. The brochure which gives information about the project was delivered to homes and is available at community centres and libraries local to the project and also on the website.”

If people are unsure how to respond they can call Transit on 3682000.

Comments on the tunnel proposal close on 11 April, 2008.

The information gathered will be collated analysed and reported back to the Transit Board for it to consider when confirming a construction option for the project.

ENDS

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