Auckland transport a budget winner

Labour's 2006 budget delivers on our promise to solve key Auckland transport issues says Auckland Issues Minister Judith Tizard.

An extra $1.3 billion is being invested over the next five years to accelerate critical roading projects including the Manukau Harbour crossing component of Auckland's western ring road - intended as a second link between Auckland and the North Shore, Warkworth Improvements Stage 1 and Waikato's Expressway."

The funding will
-advance the Manukau Harbour Crossing by one year to enable substantial completion by 2011;
-advance the four-laning of Longswamp to Rangariri and the Rangariri and Huntly bypasses by four or more years; and
-significantly improve state highway access in the Auckland area (see table of projects attached).

"By improving access to Auckland's key roads and motorways we're making it easier for people to do business, work and play in the greater Auckland area."

"We're also guaranteeing the funding by locking it in for the next five years - instead of just 1 year blocks. This will give road users and the construction industry will have more certainty about the road building programme."

"When this Government came to office we found a history and pattern of underinvestment in our infrastructure by the National government. Since1999 we have embarked on New Zealand's biggest ever road-building programme - boosting overall funding by 134% in the past seven years."

The five-year increase would take total transport funding to $13.4 billion over the next five years - $300 million more than all revenue taken from petrol tax, road user charges and vehicle registrations.

A further announcement will be made tomorrow on a multi-million dollar funding package for the Waikato region following a report on Waikato's transport needs from central and local government officials.

The Government will continue to work with Auckland and other local authorities on efficient and effective improvements to the public transport system. This will include how best to enable local authorities to meet their contributions to local land transport costs. It is likely that further investment into the rail system will be required to ensure the maintenance of a national network.

"The Labour-led Government regards a world-class transport network, which moves people and goods safely and efficiently, as a centrepiece of our drive to transform the New Zealand economy."

Key Deliverables Expected from the Initial 5-year Funding Package for State Highways (2006/07 to 2010/11)

(Note: Land Transport NZ will decide the precise funding allocations under the new funding package)

Large State Highway Improvements Built and Opened
2006/07 to 2010/11
State Highway Corridor Projects Built
Auckland Northern Gateway SH1, ALPURT B2
Auckland North Shore SH1, Northern Busway
SH1, Esmonde Rd Interchange
SH1, Ramp Signalling
SH1, Northcote to Sunnynook Auxiliary Lane
Auckland Central Improvements SH1, Central Motorway Junction - Stage 2
SH16, Newton Rd to Western Springs Auxilary Lane
SH1, Auckland Harbour Bridge Moveable Lane Barrier
SH1, Auckland Harbour Bridge Stormwater Upgrade
SH1, Newmarket Viaduct to Greenlane Auxiliary Lane*
SH16, Punganui Bridge Replacement *
Auckland Western Ring Route SH20, Mt Roskill Extension
SH20, Manukau Extension
SH18, Greenhithe Deviation
Auckland North-western Motorway SH16, Ramp Signalling

Auckland Southern Motorway SH1, Waiouru Connection (Manukau City)
SH1, Ramp Signalling
Waikato Maramarua Expressway SH2, Mangatawhiri Deviation
Hamilton Western Corridor SH1, Church to Avalon 4 Laning
SH1, Avalon Drive Bypass
* Construction, subject to investigation and design being completed as planned

Large State Highway Improvements Built and Opened - 2006/07 to 2010/11 (Additional to August 2005 State Highway Forecast)
State Highway Corridor Projects Built
Auckland Southern Motorway SH1, Papakura Interchange Upgrade Stage 1*
* Construction, subject to investigation and design being completed as planned

Large State Highway Improvements with Substantive Construction Starts - 2006/07 to 2010/11 (1 years construction at least)
State Highway Corridor Projects Started
SH1, Whangarei to Auckland SH1, Warkworth Improvements Stage 1*
Auckland Western Ring Route SH18, Hobsonville Deviation
SH16, Brigham Creek Extension
SH16, Te Atatu - Royal 6L *
SH20, Waterview Connection *
SH20, Manukau Harbour Crossing *
SH18/20, Ramp Signalling*
Auckland Central Improvements SH1, Vic Park Tunnel *
SH1, Newmarket Viaduct *
Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
Waikato Expressway SH1, Te Rapa Bypass *
SH1, Rangiriri Bypass *
* Construction started, subject to investigation and design being completed as planned

Large State Highway Improvements Being Prepared for a Construction Start - 2006/07 to 2010/11
State Highway Corridor Projects Developed
Auckland Western Ring Route SH16, Te Atatu Interchange Westbound off ramp
SH16, Rosebank to Te Atatu 6L
SH16, Waterview to Rosebank 8L
Waikato Expressway SH1, Ngaruawahia Bypass
SH1, Cambridge Bypass
SH1, Longswamp to Rangiriri 4L
SH1, Huntly Bypass
Waikato Maramarua Expressway SH2, Maramarua Deviation
Coromandel Gateway SH25, Kopu Bridge Replacement

Large State Highway Improvements Being Prepared for a Design Start –2006/07 to 2010/11
State Highway Corridor Projects Investigated
SH1, Whangarei to Auckland SH1, Schedewys Hill Deviation
SH1, Whangarei to Auckland SH1, Brynderwyn Hill Realignment
Waikato Maramarua Expressway SH2, Kopuku Realignment
Hamilton Southern Corridor Hamilton Southern Links

ENDS

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