MEDIA RELEASE
4 September 2003

IA Strong Supporters Of Rail Infrastructure Upgrade

Statement by Infrastructure Auckland Chairman, John Robertson

IA anticipates making grants of $550 million for infrastructure upgrades to Auckland’s rail network between now and 2008. This figure amounts to almost half its $1.2 billion granting programme.

IA has been a key proponent of the business planning process for the Auckland Passenger Rail Upgrade Project which sets out a blueprint for upgrading the long-neglected rail network. This support continues with our notional allocation of $550 million for the component parts of the rail upgrade.

IA has not yet received applications for funding the components of the rail business plan. Once work is completed on a total financial package to support the plan, IA would expect to begin receiving applications.

The development of the business plan was a significant step forward for the region. It will assist with the evaluation of funding applications to IA because it will identify the role of each project application in the larger context of a complete network.

IA has endorsed the key underpinnings of the plan: the patronage targets, electrification of the network and travel demand management measures.

Ends.

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