Auckland Regional Office
3 March 2006
Media Release

Vic Park Tunnel project moves ahead

Transit New Zealand's Vic Park Tunnel project (previously named Harbour Bridge to City) takes another step towards construction on Monday 6 March when Auckland City Council publicly notify and call for comment on the project.

The Vic Park Tunnel (VPT) is the last of three projects (the others being the completed Grafton Gully and near complete Central Motorway Junction) needed to improve Auckland's central motorway system.

As part of the project, Transit is planning to build a northbound tunnel beneath Victoria Park while retaining the existing viaduct for southbound traffic. Along with the tunnel, the project includes lane additions from the Harbour Bridge to Wellington Street.

The VPT will reduce congestion between the Central Motorway Junction and the Harbour Bridge by easing the current bottleneck created by the Victoria Park viaduct. The overall widening of the motorway - through St Mary's Bay - will make best use of the unused capacity of the Harbour Bridge and improve priority for buses from the Northern Busway.

In addition to addressing congestion and improving traffic flow, the project will provide better pedestrian links, preserve key heritage icons, including the Birdcage Hotel and Jacob's Ladder, mitigate noise and retain public open space in Victoria Park.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2009 and be completed in 2014, at an estimated cost of $320m.

Transit has published an information brochure providing full details of the project. Also visit the website - http://cmi.transit.govt.nz

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