Waterview - Good for locals as well as the country

Waterview - Good for locals as well as the country

Media Statement
13 May 2009

Residents and businesses living in and around the Waterview connection can expect significant increases in their property values and new industry and jobs will result from the completion of this key transport link, says Chief Executive of the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development Stephen Selwood.

This has been the experience in both Sydney and Melbourne where major roading developments like the Waterview Connection have stimulated growth, jobs and productivity.

The completed Western corridor will provide a viable alternative north south route to the heavily congested southern motorway. It means that traffic heading to and from west Auckland can avoid Spaghetti Junction. North Shore residents will be able to use the connection as an alternative route to and from the airport.

The Waterview Connection is the key to unlocking the economic growth potential of south and west Auckland. It is the final link to maximising investment in the upper harbour corridor from North Shore to Westgate, the Mt Roskill extension that is just about to open, the duplication of the Mangere Bridge and the State highway 1 to State highway 20 connection at Wiri currently under construction.

The project is well within the capabilities of the New Zealand construction sector and will provide a welcome boost to the industry at a time that we need it most.

While a full tunnel option would certainly have had less community impact, the solution proposed by the New Zealand Transport Agency provides for extensive environmental mitigation through a combination of tunneling and surface roads. Importantly, the route chosen reduces the impact on housing that a full overland solution would have entailed. The potential to increase to three lanes future proofs the corridor for increased capacity for either additional roading or public transport.

The billion dollar saving means more money will be available for other projects of national significance in Auckland, and other parts of New Zealand

It is critical now that timely decisions are taken on the resource consents for the project in order to provide certainty to the effected residents, and the greater Auckland region.

ENDS

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