Clock ticking for third crossing decision!

The North Harbour Business Association (NHBA) has welcomed Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s call for urgent action to be taken on the planning and construction of an alternative crossing to the Auckland Harbour Bridge, following news that the two northbound clip-on lanes may have a restricted lifespan.

NHBA General Manager Gary Holmes, himself a long time advocate for an additional crossing, says planning for the construction of a third Waitemata Harbour crossing must be given the highest priority as the clock is ticking.

Mr. Holmes said the NHBA has raised the issue as part of its recent submission to the draft Regional Land Transport Strategy stressing the strategic vulnerability of relying on one aging and already inadequate transport route.

“The truth is Auckland and in particular the North Shore is far too reliant on a single Harbour crossing," Mr. Holmes stated. My fear is we have seen all this before and it has come to nothing from the lack of political will to see it through, Mr. Holmes said. Admittedly the problems, especially those associated with financing the construction, and the potential social dislocation are daunting, but the prospects of not making a responsible effort to get it underway are far more disturbing. We must find the political will to see it through.

Mr. Holmes said that the fact that the Transport Minister was showing an active interest in the issue was a positive sign. “If there is one government Minister that can make this happen, it is Steven Joyce. If he could make progress on just this one issue, what a legacy he would leave,” Mr. Holmes stated.

Ends

© Scoop Media