‘Number Eight’ Wired For NZ Success, Says Shore Voice

5 September 2010

The eighth ‘road of national significance’ should be a tunnel across the Waitemata Harbour through which the Northern Busway fleet, car-poolers and freight-carrying trucks could travel while taking the load off the congested Auckland Harbour Bridge above.

This is the view of Shore Voice, a newcomer to Auckland’s political scene but including members well versed in city-wide transport issues. They include current North Shore City councillor Chris Darby who sits on both the Regional Land Transport Committee and the Northern Corridor Steering Group.

The steering group holds its final meeting tomorrow [Monday, September 6] before its responsibilities are subsumed within the [Auckland] Council-controlled organisation, Auckland Transport.

The government’s own New Zealand Transport Agency is currently working through the business cases for what the third harbour crossing should be – a tunnel or another bridge – for its business-savvy Transport Minister, Steven Joyce. Called the roads of national significance, the government has identified seven essential state highways that are linked to New Zealand’s economic prosperity.

Darby says a harbour tunnel is the best option for both the national economy and the North Shore community.

“I’m hearing whispers from technical experts who support a tunnel for freight, buses and cars carrying three or more people [i.e. high-occupancy vehicles], and I truly hope this is reflected in NZTA’s final report which is due to go to the minister by Christmas.

“Unsurprisingly, the minister is coming under pressure from the powerful infrastructure lobby to go with another bridge.”

Darby says the planning should also include protecting a route for a second tunnel to accommodate a future rail connection.

“There’s a North Shore rail study currently under way to look at how best to use this important option.

“We’re advocating a two-stage, affordable approach and one which reflects the reality that we have to take the load off the existing bridge to lengthen its lifespan.

“Auckland Harbour Bridge is the most expensive piece of state highway in New Zealand. No other road comes anywhere near in terms of its costly upkeep, and it’s no wonder none of the new 53-tonne trucks are allowed on it to stress it even more,” he says.

Chris Darby is standing as a Shore Voice candidate in the Auckland Council’s North Shore ward and for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.

ENDS

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