Transmission Gully Must Go Ahead

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the inclusion of the Wellington Northern Corridor as part of the government’s list of so-called Roads of National Significance.

“We are pleased that this critical section of road from Levin to Wellington is on the list of the roads which have been identified as essential routes requiring priority treatment,” said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

Mr Finny made the comments at the Chamber lunch while introducing guest speaker Geoff Dangerfield, CEO of the New Zealand Transport Agency.

“The Chamber is aware that many of the most congested pieces of roading in the country fall within this corridor.  It is therefore essential for productivity growth in the wider national economy that we improve access to and from Wellington Airport, the congestion between Wellington and the Hutt Valley and remove the blockages between Porirua and Levin.  In that context the Chamber remains a strong supporter of Transmission Gully as a route into and out of the region,’ said Mr Finny.

“Transmission Gully is a far superior option than the coastal highway upgrade.  This option was ruled out three years ago partly because it is no cheaper than building TGM, because it is less resilient that TGM, and because it is unconsentable.  It is therefore worrying that it has been refloated recently by some parties.

Mr Finny said the Chamber was strongly supportive of the bringing forward of worthy roading investment such as the Basin Reserve grade separation, expanding capacity on the Hutt motorway, and the construction of Transmission Gully as a response to the economic crisis.

“While it may be a few years before major work on projects such as Transmission Gully can begin, the Wellington region has plenty of smaller-scale projects along this corridor on which construction can begin quickly,” said Mr Finny.

“We look forward to working with regional and local government to make this happen,” Mr Finny concluded.

 
ends
 

© Scoop Media