Upgrade of key southern transport link open for comment

A planned upgrade of a key transport link in south Auckland to improve safety and allow it to cope with traffic volumes doubling will be open for public comment from Friday.

Auckland Transport has applied for Notices of Requirement to safeguard the route for the upgrade of Redoubt-Mill Road in Manukau so new housing areas can be built with supporting infrastructure in place. Auckland Council is publicly notifying the Notices of Requirement, with submissions open from Friday 17 April to 19 May.

Auckland Transport is holding public information sessions for people to find out more about the project. They will be at Westfield Manukau’s centre court on Friday (17 April) from 11am to 2pm and Saturday (18 April) from 10am to 1pm

Auckland Transport Project Director Theunis van Schalkwyk says the planned upgrade is necessary because large housing growth in the area will double traffic volumes during the next 10 to 15 years.

The current road is also unsafe, with four deaths and 283 crashes over four years. The proposal improves the road alignment so it is safer for drivers.

“Safeguarding the route through the Notice of Requirement process will provide certainty to both existing and future property owners. New housing areas can then be built knowing where the transport infrastructure to support it will be,” Mr van Schalkwyk says.

About 22,000 new homes are planned in the vicinity, with 10,000 fast tracked as special housing areas. An estimated 6000 more people are expected to work in new industrial areas.

Mr Van Schalkwyk encourages people to make submissions to Auckland Council on the project.

A significant amount of work assessing a number of alignment options, environmental, water, ecological and other potential impacts has been carried out over a number of years, he says. This included three different ecological assessments and a further review by an Otago University academic.

The proposed project includes about 22,000 square metres of native planting, stream restoration, wetlands created, pest eradication and environmental monitoring during and after construction.

Following public submissions there will be a public hearing by independent commissioners to consider Auckland Transport’s application.

Project features

• Redoubt Road widened to two lanes in each direction between State Highway One and Murphys Road

• Westbound bus lane along Hollyford Drive and Redoubt Road towards Manukau

• On road cycle lanes on both sides and an off road cycle and foot path for the length of the upgrade

• Replacement of the existing Mill Road with a new arterial with two lanes in each direction between Murphys Road and Popes Road

• Murphys Road widened to two lanes in each direction between Flat Bush School Road and Redoubt Road

• Murphys/Redoubt Road intersection realigned and traffic lights added to improve safety

• 17m and 23m high viaducts at Puhinui Creek gully and South Mill Road gully above native bush

• Widened footpaths on both sides of Redoubt, Mill and Murphys roads with pedestrian crossings at key intersections

• Replacement planting and stream restoration

• Improved stormwater facilities, including new wetlands areas

• Landscaping of the new road corridor.

To make a submission to Auckland Council and read the Notice of Requirement documents contact the council.

Visit the Redoubt Road – Mill Road Corridor website for more information on the project at www.at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/the-mill-road-corridor

ENDS

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