Takanini Interchange Package to Unlock the South

Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor is welcoming news in today's budget that the Government will be investing $210 million towards the upgrade of the Takanini Interchange, alongside widening the Southern Motorway between the SH1/SH20 Interchange and Papakura.

The Takanini interchange is the third largest traffic interchange in the Auckland region and serves as the southern gateway to Auckland.

"I am very pleased to see that the Government is committed to this project which will be a key step forward to unlocking the growth which is happening in the Takanini area, and in all of Auckland South." Says Councillor Calum Penrose.

"I have been lobbying for this development alongside the Manurewa Local Board and the Papakura Local Board for the last four years, and earlier when I was Mayor of Papakura. We all see this change as being crucial to the economic development of both Local Board areas, and the region as a whole.

"These areas are experiencing an accelerated amount of development in the form of housing, with approximately 7500 houses designated to be built in the Takanini area over the next three years alongside large business and industry growth which is happening in the area.

"The start date for work on the Takanini interchange is 2016/2017 which can't come soon enough.

"We will be lobbying for this project to be brought forward if possible, as we recognise that every day that we wait for this project to be completed, is another day of lost productivity for people and businesses that operate throughout the region.
"We also need to use this opportunity to acquire land for the grade separation of the rail line at Taka Street, Manuroa Road and Walters Road, to keep cars off the lines, with the electric trains due to start along the southern line next year.

Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton is also welcoming the news, and says she is looking forward to working with NZTA staff to bring the start date forward.

"What happens from this point on will affect the future of the entire region as well as greater Auckland. To put it off for two years will only hold back the people and businesses that rely on this integral gateway. We hope that appropriate action we will be taken and that the full potential of the area can be realised."

ENDS

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