Accelerated East-West Connection project greatly welcomed

27 January 2016

Media Release

Accelerated East-West Connection project – push on Auckland greatly welcomed

Government’s recognition that the East-West Connection project is of National Significance gives the project needed certainty.

Michael Barnett, Auckland Business Forum chairman, was welcoming today’s announcement that the project would go through a streamlined consenting process later this year to bring forward its construction.

“This project has been on Auckland’s books for decades – far too long. Making it a project of national significance means we can at last see the finish line.”

He noted however that there are a lot of details on the routes design and configuration yet to be confirmed, and this needs to be attended to with speed and urgency over the next few months.

Mr Barnett anticipated that the Forum and other stakeholders working closely with transport providers to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved for this important project and that there is no further delay.

Overall, the Prime Minister’s speech today was exactly the tonic that the business community needed to hear. “Auckland is growing at a fast pace; the private sector is driving up investment. But we can do better – and today’s Prime Ministerial address will help give momentum to that,” said Mr Barnett.

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