Transit National Office
Media Release

20 December 2004

Environment Court extends use of Grand Drive, Orewa as a state highway link

The Environment Court today granted Transit New Zealand a further extension of the use of Grand Drive, Orewa, as a state highway link road until 1 August 2005.

Grand Drive is being used as the link between the end of the motorway at Orewa and State Highway 1 to the north until ALPURT B2, the extension of the northern motorway between Orewa and Puhoi, is completed.

Acknowledging the decision, Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said Transit had made substantial progress in progressing ALPURT B2 as a toll project.

Construction of the motorway started last week, following a statement from the Minister of Transport that he was favourably inclined to building it as a toll road, and the release of a $20 million funding package by Land Transport New Zealand.

Mr van Barneveld said Transit would report back to the Environment Court in April and June to update it on construction progress and the application to toll the route.

Confirmation of the motorway’s final construction programme remains subject to the Minister’s consideration of Transit’s request for an Order in Council to toll the route. A decision is expected in March/April 2005. If the Minister decides in favour of the toll, Transit expects the Order In Council process to be completed in time for its report to the Court in June, he said.

ENDS

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