Responding to flak that the Auckland Regional Council is not doing anything to encourage completion of Auckland’s roading network, Mr Warren pointed out that the ARC does not itself build roads, but has determined a strategy to address all transport requirements of the region and this includes roading.

In the Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) released in November 1999, expenditure on roading was identified to require $1.222 billion from 1999 to 2004, and a further $1.478 billion between 2005 and 2021. The RLTS was developed by the ARC with the input of local councils and key stakeholders of the region.

“I would like to point out to roading proponents that it is Transit New Zealand’s job to build the motorway network throughout Auckland. I am very pleased that Transit NZ has indeed announced a timetable and developed a strategy for road building, following the Regional Land Transport Strategy,” said ARC Chairman Philip Warren today.

“The ARC welcomes Transit New Zealand’s commitment to undertake $833 million road improvements by 2004, and a further $263 million by 2009,” said Mr Warren. “The region relies on Transit to stick to its timetable and get this work done.”

“In all, Transit NZ has committed to spending $1.096 billion towards building Auckland’s motorway network over the next eight years, which it has outlined in its Auckland State Highway Strategy.”

“This work is an integral part of achieving the goals of the RLTS, which also include spending $750m to $1.5 billion on public transport infrastructure over the next 10 years.”

“I am also pleased to note that Transit NZ has committed to improve the Central Motorway Junction in the near future – the spaghetti junction is a major sore point for more than 200,000 commuters daily,” said Mr Warren.

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For further information please call: ARC Chairman Philip Warren, ph 366 2000 x7111

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