SH20: Waterview connection by 2015 - on track!

Friday’s opening of the SH20: Mt Roskill Extension on the Western Ring Route reinforces the urgency of completing the Waterview Connection by 2015 or sooner.

“Auckland has been waiting 40 years for a motorway network with options. Completion of Waterview will be the last section needed to give Auckland the semblance of a modern transport system and take the daily gridlock pressure off the Southern Motorway,” said Auckland Business Forum chairman Michael Barnett.

He welcomed the New Zealand Transport Agency Waterview announcement to go with an option with advanced mitigation involving a tunnel at the western end to protect Oakley Creek and also go under Great North Road.

“While this is not the lowest cost option, it will still save taxpayers around a billion dollars compared to twin tunnel for the full route and provide opportunities for innovative mitigation.”

He expressed confidence that Aucklanders overwhelmingly wanted the Western Ring Route completed without delay.

“We are greatly reassured that the Government has been firm on making progress with the project on a timetable for construction to start in 2011.

“For the next 3 years Mt Albert residents face considerable disruption from the traffic that will use local streets in the absence of Waterview. Completion will not only remove through traffic from local roads, but contribute to improving Auckland’s competitiveness and transport services.”

With Waterview in place, Auckland will finally have a roading system that will allow efficient bus services connecting north and west Auckland with south and east Auckland – “detractors should take note that public transport benefits of Waterview are as significant as those that businesses will enjoy,” concluded Mr Barnett.