Transit should take over Eastern Highway

National's Transport spokesman, Maurice Williamson, is calling on the Minister of Transport to direct Transit to make Auckland's Eastern Highway a state highway so it can be built as soon as possible.

He is commenting after Auckland City Council's transport committee voted to abandon the highway component of the highway from Glen Innes across Orakei Basin and Hobson Bay to the city. The decision will be ratified by the full council next week.

"This is a ludicrous decision and will ensure that Auckland's chronic traffic problems only get worse, as was pointed out today by the Automobile Association.

"It is time the Minister directed Transit to designate this highway, which is vitally important for Auckland's development, as a state highway like all the other major parts of the Auckland roading system. The northern, southern and south-western motorways, Albany to Puhoi, and Highway 20 through Mangere are all state highways, so why not make the Eastern Highway a state highway.

"If that happens, it will be out of the hands of the local authorities and controlled by Transit, which means the Government can fund it and get on and build it.

"There has been concern expressed in the past that it is not a Transit road when it should be.

"This highway must be built if Auckland is to move ahead,” Mr Williamson said.

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