Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga

MP for Maungakiekie

Media Release

17 June 2015

Have your say on East West Connections

MP for Maungakiekie Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is urging local residents to have their say on the East West Connections project at one of three open days this month.

Community feedback is being sought on the preferred option for the project that will reduce residential congestion and improve freight connections in and out of the Onehunga-Penrose industrial area.

East West Connections was one of three key Auckland transport projects identified for fast-tracking by the government last year.

“This project will significantly decrease congestion on our local roads and deliver tangible benefits for both residents and businesses in Maungakiekie,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I welcome this further consultation with the community about the preferred approach by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.

“This is another step towards new infrastructure that will bring benefits to this area.”

East West Connections will connect the Western Ring Route (SH20) at Onehunga to the Southern Motorway (SH1) in Mt Wellington. The link, along with the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative, is a significant transport initiative for the area.

Currently there is no direct path between the Port of Onehunga, the rail freight hub at Metroport and the Southern Motorway. This is critical as the port handles around 270,000 containers a year, making it the third busiest freight terminal in New Zealand.

“Progressing the East-West Link will mean fewer trucks on our local roads and freight will get more efficiently to its destination. It will also enable improvements to be made for public transport, walking and cycling.” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

He encourages local residents and businesses to have their say at the open days this month. “I will be attending the open day at the Onehunga Night Markets on 25 June and I hope others will also be there to ask questions and find out more about the projects.”

For more information go to www.nzta.govt.nz/east-west or www.at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/east-west-connections/

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