Transport Minister – Moving Auckland forward
Auckland Mayor John Banks today said he was enormously encouraged by the Minister of Transport Paul Swain’s keenness to
get results in his new portfolio.
Mr Banks’ comments came at an official Transit New Zealand gathering where the Minister was in Auckland to mark the
start of construction on the first stage of Auckland’s Central Motorway (Spaghetti) Junction.
“This project is another major step in moving Auckland forward. Unlocking the gridlock around Spaghetti Junction is one
part of Auckland’s much needed triple bypass.
“With Paul Swain an enthusiastic advocate for network completion, we have a rare Auckland-Wellington accord. There is a
real opportunity for action to complete our long-planned motorway network by 2007,” said Mr Banks.
Today’s start of construction closely follows the commencement of the major roading project at Grafton Gully. The
Auckland Mayor said he looked forward to the pace of works around Auckland increasing over the summer months, pointing
to the Richardson Road section of SH20 and the Upper Harbour corridor of SH16.
He also voiced his enthusiasm for the advent of public-private partnerships. “I look forward to the Government
introducing legislation that will allow for innovative funding to speed up the completion of the motorway network. The
Auckland City Council is also doing some work on streamlining the consent process.”
The Mayor applauded the team approach in getting the CMJ project to where it is, but said work does not end with roads.
Much effort is also going into improving public transport as part of the integrated transport solution for Auckland.
“The CMJ project is no ordinary roading project. It is an important part of the greater vision to make Auckland
internationally competitive and a great place to live, work and invest,” concluded Mr Banks.