Media release
 

Newmarket Business Association

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Newmarket says yes to getting on with the Viaduct

The Newmarket Business Association has come out strongly supporting the Auckland Business Forum's call for the Transit board and Land Transport New Zealand to approve the start of the $150 million Newmarket Viaduct replacement project.

“The northern office of Transit has done very well to be 12 months ahead of schedule. They have positively worked with a lot of affected parties and avoided any Environment Court hearings. It’s now time for the Wellington-based Transit board and Land Transport New Zealand to give the green light,” said Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association.

“It’s imperative this massive and lengthy project starts as soon as possible. The sooner we can get the disruption out of the way the better. What’s more, it’s not fair leaving the businesses below the viaduct to languish with uncertainty for any longer.”

Mr Brewer said the end result will be great for development down that end of Broadway.

“There has been very little private sector investment beneath the viaduct for some time, simply because every business knows they’ll one day have to vacate. The sooner this project is completed the sooner that end of Broadway can reach its full potential.” 

Mr Brewer said his organisation is keeping optimistic about the three and a half year replacement project. However one concern they hold is the impact the project will have on traffic congestion on surrounding arterial roads.

“This is one project the Government can have completed by the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It now just depends on a stroke of the pen by the Transit board and LTNZ,” said Mr Brewer.

Ends

© Scoop Media