First move on major roading project

Auckland City is today calling for public comment on Transit New Zealand's notices of requirement to designate land for roading for its "Vic Park Tunnel" project.

Transit wants to construct a three-lane tunnel under Victoria Park for northbound traffic entering the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The existing flyover would remain in use for southbound traffic. However, a southbound tunnel under Victoria Park may be developed at some stage in future if approved.

The current plan would also involve widening the existing motorway alignment between the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Wellington Street on-ramp.

Transit has served Auckland City with the notices of requirement because it needs to acquire the extra land before it can start on the project. Auckland City is required to publicly notify this information and receive submissions.

There will be sections of land affected in the following areas:

o Victoria Park
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o Fanshawe Street
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o Beaumont Street
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o Westhaven Drive
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o Franklin Road
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o Victoria Street
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o Napier Street
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o Shelley Beach Road.
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In total, Auckland City has received three notices of requirement for new motorway designations and two notices of requirement to alter existing designations.

The notices of requirement would allow Transit to construct, operate and maintain new sections of motorway.

It would also allow other works, including moving certain buildings, removing trees in Victoria Park, constructing a pedestrian overbridge between Jacob's Ladder and Westhaven, as well as landscaping, planting and the restoration of footpaths.

An information pack about the proposed road designation has been delivered to nearly 800 property owners and occupiers in the vicinity of the affected area.

Members of the public have until Monday, 3 April to make submissions on the proposal before a hearing is held later this year. A date has yet to be set for the hearing.

A full description of Transit's proposed works and their assessment of the environmental effects can be viewed at http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/isthmusdistrictplan/ or during business hours at the following locations:

o Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Ave, Auckland City
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o Leys Institute, 20 St Mary's Bay Road, Ponsonby
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o Central City Library, Reference Section, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland City.
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Submission forms will be available at the above locations and can also be downloaded from the council website at http:// http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/districtplan/submissions.

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