20 September 2012

Tunnel + flyover is a silly option for the Basin Reserve

With the digging for the Memorial Park Tunnel due to commence, following the imminent enacting of the National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill, it is time to relook at NZTA's proposal for the Basin Reserve. The Architectural Centre believes that these two projects (Memorial Park and the Basin Roading Project) cannot be seen in isolation from each other.

"Now the government has committed to a tunnel, a flyover at the Basin is nonsensical" Architectural Centre President Christine McCarthy said. "The whole project needs to be relooked at in order to take this significant change into account. NZTA appears to be carrying on as if there is no tunnel. These projects can not be developed in isolation if the best long term solution for the city is to be built."

The Architectural Centre, authors of Option X, endorse the government's decision to fund a tunnel under Memorial Park. With the construction of the tunnel much of the Option X scheme will be built. Option X was proposed in order to provide an appropriate commemorative landscape for the National War Memorial, and to provide major new green connections, which will have the ability to transform the city. The tunnel is also exactly what is needed to separate north/south and east/west traffic at the Basin - but only if it is extended through to the junction of Buckle and Sussex Streets, in accordance with Option X.

"Designed properly the tunnel will make a significant and positive contribution to the landscape and traffic planning of the city. Crudely sticking isolated projects together is a sad mistake which will damage this part of town for decades." McCarthy continued.

ENDS

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