Business Head Encourages Aucklanders To Quit Complaining Given Chch Quake

The head of the Newmarket Business Association says the 36-hour southbound SH1 motorway closure over Newmarket pales into insignificance given what has happened in Christchurch overnight.

“We don’t know how lucky we are. Sure we’ve got some traffic congestion in and around Auckland this weekend, but it’s absolutely nothing compared to what Christchurch is confronted with. I’m not going to be complaining this weekend, and urge other Aucklanders just to get on with it. South Islanders are really hurting and the last thing they want to hear is Aucklanders moaning about a road closure,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket.

“We have long supported the motorway viaduct replacement project because its completion will bring certainty for the business and properties below. It will spur on economic development down that end of Broadway, with old properties being developed and new buildings going up once the viaduct’s finished.

“A big part of this viaduct replacement project is the earthquake strengthening. The Christchurch quake reminds us just how important it is to strengthen our over-bridges in highly built up urban areas. The original 1966 viaduct structure, full of concrete cancer, would have seriously struggled if a 7.1 magnitude earthquake had hit central Auckland. Thank goodness the old viaduct’s being replaced,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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