Motorway Network Completion by 2015

AUCKLAND BUSINESS FORUM - Members
Motorway Network Completion by 2015

7 May 2007

Media Release

3RD Harbour Crossing Project Needs A Regional-National Focus With A ‘Go Faster’ Flag

Commenting on the Mayoral suggestion of setting up a working party for a third harbour crossing, Michael Barnett, chairman of the Auckland Business Forum, said there is no need. “There is a 3rd harbour crossing project on Transit’s programme, there is a process in place…. What Transit should be encouraged to do is go faster.

“There is no need for the Mayors to be wasting time setting up another process when one already exists.

“With a third of New Zealand’s economy generated in the Auckland region, the 3rd harbour crossing has nationwide implications and which needs to be elevated to ‘urgent’ status and integrated with the network completion agenda,” said Mr Barnett.

The Transit New Zealand project currently assessing transport and land use options for a third harbour crossing needs to be accelerated into the fast lane of Auckland’s vital transport infrastructure projects.

Mr Barnett noted that the region already had a resolution on the books requesting Transit to undertake transport & and land use assessments for a third harbour crossing. Transit has confirmed the project in its 2006-16 10-year State Highway Forecast.

Transit’s current work programme follows a construction feasibility confirming a 3rd harbour crossing completed in 2003 for the Auckland Regional Council.

“With the current Bridge’s life expectancy now under question, the issue would seem to be that Transit goes faster,” said Mr Barnett.

The Auckland Business Forum last year urged Transit and the ARC/RLTC to ensure the transport assessment consider the best location for the crossing from a regional/national perspective – whether it should provide for traffic on the Western Ring Route due for completion by 2012 or be a tunnel on the eastern side of the harbour bridge to service the Ports of Auckland – North Shore connection better, and feed into a proposed eastern corridor (now the AMETI project) for servicing the fast growing eastern business areas.

ENDS

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