.MEDIA RELEASE
27 August 2009
 

NZ Transport Agency Auckland Regional Office

Record level of investment for Auckland transport   

The NZ Transport Agency plans to invest $2.8 billion over the next three years to improve Auckland’s transport systems and help boost the region’s economic growth. This level of investment marks a $613 million increase on the previous three years.

Funding allocations for the region’s transport projects are prioritised in the NZTA’s new three-yearly National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). The NLTP provides a balanced package of investment to move Auckland forward, including a significant increase in spending for public transport and support for a stronger capital works programme for state highways.

NZTA Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield said the NLTP gives effect to the Government Policy Statement on land transport funding by placing the greatest emphasis on activities that encourage economic growth, productivity and employment. 

Mr Dangerfield said $518 million was planned for investment in public transport in Auckland over the next three years through the NLTP – an increase of $93 million on the previous three-year period. 

“Public transport is critical to contributing to economic growth in the region by reducing peak time congestion.”  

Mr Dangerfield said the additional investment would provide significant improvements for Auckland’s public transport system.  Projects given priority in the NLTP include:

·         New or upgraded rail stations 

·         New trains – loan to Auckland Regional Council (ARC) for purchase of new rolling stock electrification 

·         Integrated ticketing

·         Ferry terminal upgrades

·         Completing the central connector bus corridor

·         Completing New Lynn town centre transport re-development by 2012/13.

Investment in new and existing state highways increases half-a-billion dollars in the three year programme between 2009-12, from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion. Projects set to benefit from this increased investment include:

·         Auckland’s three Roads of National Significance: Victoria Park Tunnel, Puhoi to Wellsford, and the Western Ring Route. (Two sections of the Western Ring Route – SH1/20 Manukau Extension and SH20 Manukau Harbour Crossing – will be completed ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.)

·         Completion of strengthening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge by the end of 2010.

“We also expect to see significant progress made on projects that improve inter-regional links and freight and tourism routes, and those that reduce congestion,” Mr Dangerfield said. 

Investment in other key areas of the NLTP in Auckland includes:

·         Maintenance and renewal of state highways - $256.1m [$48m increase]

·         Maintenance and renewal of local roads - $258m [$39m increase].

Local road projects given NLTP funding priority include AMETI (the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative) and the Sandringham Road improvements near Eden Park in preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Investment in walking and cycling will focus on easing congestion and progressing projects that provide a viable alternative to motor vehicles. 

Penlink is one of the significant projects included in the NLTP, but not yet approved for funding. A new road between Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the SH1 Northern Motorway will be eligible for NLTP investment providing a funding plan is developed that demonstrates that the project is affordable and represents best value for money.  

Through the NLTP, the NZTA and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) are working with Rugby World Cup organisers to plan the transport support required to move an expected 62,000 supporters around the region in 2011. 

Mr Dangerfield was confident that the NLTP would deliver value for money by improving capacity on existing transport links. “It’s about making better and more efficient use of our transport links for the benefit of the region,” he said.

“Auckland is the engine room of the national economy, and this additional $613m investment will help unlock the region’s potential to increase productivity and create jobs at a critical time for New Zealand.”

While the NLTP has reflected most projects in Auckland’s regional land transport programme some are unlikely to receive funding based on current information supporting those projects. They include roading projects, some proposed public transport operating expenditure, some community programmes and some cycling and walking programmes.   

The Auckland region 2009/12 NLTP and the full national 2009/12 NLTP are available at www.nzta.govt.nz.  

 
ENDS

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