Penlink – Auckland’s only ‘ready to go’ project

Penlink – Auckland’s only ‘ready to go’ project – “let’s do it!”

Auckland Transport’s updated Penlink report for a 4-lane option reinforces the potential for significantly improved bus services and a doubling of commuter patronage.

Using the latest land use and population growth rate information, the report released today includes an updated Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for a 4-lane 7 kilometre tolled Penlink Highway of between 4.5 and 7.8 – putting Penlink at the top end of projects prioritised for action on a basis of their economic benefit.

“An official ‘go’ should not be far away,” said Auckland Business Chamber head Michael Barnett. “The urgency for action by Silverdale – Whangaparaoa Peninsula residents and businesses is reinforced in our recent survey. Of 850 respondents over three days, 90% supported a four-lane with T2 and public transport lanes, and 97% want it as a PPP and 91% want an immediate start.”

Large property developments underway in the Silverdale area and a number of apartment complexes planned or under construction at Gulf Harbour ahead of the America’s Cup in 2021, reinforce the urgency for getting ‘ready to go’ Penlink construction underway immediately.

In the last four years traffic queues at the SH1-Silverdale intersection have grown from around 1km each morning to now stretch nearly 5km most days and are now well into the working day and most weekends. With 30,000 new houses planned in the Silverdale area alone, congestion will only get worse.

The updated AT report confirms travel time savings of around 20 minutes for Peninsula buses using the Penlink route to the North Shore and city centre, and similar gains for private vehicles.

With a 4-lane Penlink, more frequent bus services will be possible. A dedicated high occupancy car and bus lane would be impossible with a 2-lane option.

The land is there, the consents are there, the community are crying out for action and there are private sector funders – all we need is support from government, said Barnett.

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