Funding approved for Eastern Corridor

Funding for work into the preferred option for Auckland's Eastern Corridor

Work into determining the preferred option for Auckland's proposed Eastern Corridor has been given the go-ahead but with no funding amount agreed to at this stage.

The Transfund New Zealand Board yesterday agreed to fund the cost of identifying the form and structure of the preferred option.

However, the Board placed a proviso that the Auckland City Council must define the scope and cost of work required before the size of the allocation would be determined.

The work should cover the cost of all activities required to develop a preferred option, up to but not including the preparation of notification of design requirements and consent applications.

Chairperson David Stubbs said funding was approved so there could be more certainty around whether the project was viable over the short to medium term.

"We know that, at some stage, the construction of a transport facility within the eastern suburbs will be required.

"There is still some uncertainty over the estimates of costs and timelines for the proposed Eastern Corridor and, by identifying the preferred option, we should be able to get firmer costs and timings," Mr Stubbs said.

The Transfund Board previously allocated $720,000 to the Eastern Corridor in December to enable Auckland City Council to do further investigation into the work required to maintain planning protection for the proposed route.

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