15 May 2015

A signal that Auckland transport action needs to go faster

The $375 million interest-free loan to the New Zealand Transport Agency to accelerate key Auckland transport projects indicates that Government agrees with business that the City must get the job finished with speed and urgency, said Auckland Business Forum chairman Michael Mr Barnett.

He was responding to the Auckland transport package confirmed in today’s Budget.

“These are projects that really need to happen if Auckland is to reduce congestion and get people and freight moving efficiently.”

Some of these projects have sat on Auckland’s plans for decades. The business community will now be expecting NZTA to pick up the pace to ensure projects such as the freight-critical East-West Link get underway as fast as possible.”

The Onehunga, Southdown, Penrose area where the East-West Link will be built generates around 18% of Auckland’s GDP, is Auckland’s second highest area for employment and predicted to see a big increase in heavy truck access as the Auckland economy grows.

“Roads in the area are among Auckland’s most congested, but are home to businesses that play a critical role in moving freight around Auckland and the upper North Island and beyond” concluded Mr Barnett.

ENDS

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