15 May 2014
Freight focus in Budget’s Auckland transport package – “strongly supported”
The focus in today’s Budget on getting faster action on key Auckland transport projects that that are vital to the road
freight sector has been greatly welcomed by David Aitken, chief executive of the National Road Carriers.
“With expectations that freight and truck activity will grow by around 50% across the country in the next 30 years, but
by almost 80% in Auckland acknowledged by the Government, it is very obvious why it wants an accelerated programme to
address critical Auckland transport projects.”
He was especially pleased that the Budget announcement of Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee confirmed funding for the NZ
Transport Agency to progress the East-West Link project, even though it is not currently part of the State Highway
network.
The road network linking the freight distribution companies located around Neilson St with the rest of Auckland, and
where the East-West Link will be built, is critical to the efficient functioning of Auckland’s day-to-day economy, and
the distribution of freight to key destinations such as Ports of Auckland, Auckland Airport as well as towns and cities
of the upper North Island.
The NRC has high expectations that the East-West Link project will be an efficient, safe motorway-to-motorway link for
freight between SH1 at Mt Wellington and SH20 at Onehunga, concluded Mr Aitken.
ENDS