Time to address Tamaki Drive flooding

“Auckland Transport needs to investigate the possibility of raising a key section of low-lying Tamaki Drive across Hobson Bay which closed again today due to flooding,” says Auckland Councillor for Orakei Cameron Brewer.

“I raised this ongoing concern with the leaders of Auckland Transport this morning when they presented their quarterly report to the Council Controlled Organisations Governance and Monitoring Committee. And I was alarmed to learn it’s not even on their radar,” says Mr Brewer.

“The Tamaki Drive causeway across Hobson Bay and near the ‘Ngapipi bridge’ is increasingly problematic. It’s getting flooded and is closed with worrying regularity not helped by the fact that it’s sinking.

“Yet for Auckland Transport the only capital expenditure programmed is $4.2m for a new set of traffic lights at the Tamaki Drive/Ngapipi Road intersection that no one wants.

“NZTA is busy lifting the level of the north-western causeway because of impact of king tides and the impact on commuters. With this in mind Auckland Transport now needs to look at this key section of Tamaki Drive – a critical lifeline for the eastern suburbs.

“Also long overdue is securing council funding for the Orakei Local Board’s Tamaki Drive Master Plan which promotes many improvements for this regional asset, including mode separation to improve cycling safety,” says Mr Brewer.

“Tamaki Drive carries tens of thousands of commuters a day and is a much loved and important Auckland amenity which even has its own protection society. Ongoing closures due to this critical causeway being easily overwhelmed by the ocean is not good enough and needs to be addressed.

“Following my questioning I am pleased Auckland Transport has now committed to reporting back to elected representatives on Tamaki Drive. Raising this low-lying section is at the very least worthy of an investigation because ongoing closures come with huge cost.

“Today’s weather is just another reminder that work to improve Tamaki Drive must become a priority for Auckland Council. It’s long overdue,” says Mr Brewer.

ENDS

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