Voters need to know when major new roads will open

Media release, 4 August 2005

Telephone book numbers of the amount of funding to be invested in transport over the next ten years sound impressive, but the key question is.when will the roads open and when will the upgraded passenger transport services be available?

That's what counts and that's what voters need to know.

As it stands, although progress will be made, it looks like motorists will have had four elections including this one, before the nation's most important transport projects will be completed.

Major projects yet to be programmed for completion within ten years include Auckland's Western Ring Route, Eastern Corridor, Wellington's Transmission Gully / Centennial Highway, Tauranga's Strategic Roading Network, Christchurch's Southern and Northern Motorway extensions, SH1 Waikato Expressway, SH2 Maramarua Expressway, and Nelson's Southern Link.

Nor is there any clear funding plan for the multi billion dollar rail proposals recently announced for Auckland and Christchurch.

Resource Management approvals and political commitment to the completion of strategic projects are as important as funding.

What's needed is for the political parties commit to a completion date on each of the major infrastructure projects for the country and then take the necessary steps to see that those commitments are honoured.

ENDS

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