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Plans for Auckland's Western Wing Route - Source: ONE News/NZ Transport Agency -
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The Transport Agency has chosen combined surface and tunnel option to complete Auckland's Western Ring Route.
The previous Labour government had planned to put a tunnel under Mt Albert but on Tuesday Transport Minister Steven Joyce said that was too expensive at up to $3 billion.
The cheapest option was for all to be above ground while the other two options combined tunnels and roads. But no matter which routes are adopted more than 200 homes across Waterview, Avondale and Mt Albert will have to be bulldozed.
"The Western Ring Route is one of seven roads of national significance recently identified by government, and completing it will provide huge benefits for Auckland and New Zealand. The Waterview Connection is the final link to complete this route and unlock its full benefits," Board chairman Brian Roche says.
The preferred option for the five kilometre link involves two tunnels and two motorways.
The route will travel the length of Alan Wood Reserve but avoids most other open space areas valued by the community.
In the south where the project will be at surface, the motorway will be built adjacent to an area that already has land set aside for rail.
Work on the project is due to start in 2011 and should be completed within four years. Roche says the new route will cost approximately $1.4 billion.
In total, 365 houses will have to be demolished and 126 of those have already been bought by the Transport Agency.
"We've chosen a route option which we can afford now and which can be completed on time. We believe it provides the best balance between the need to complete the Western Ring Route in an affordable way as soon as possible with the needs of the communities the road will pass through," he says.
However some residents are not happy over the announcement.
Logan Andrewes has been told his family home is in the proposed path of the Waterview connection.
"We've just painted it on the assumption we were going to keep it, and that it wasn't just going to be bulldozed," he says.
The residents affected have already been told they will be closely consulted before a final decision is made.
Transport Agency Chief executive Geoff Dangerfield says they want to engage one-on-one with those residents.
He says staff have already been to every affected property to give them an outline of what they can expect.
The issue has been dominating the Mt Albert by-election, with Labour candidate David Shearer pushing for the tunnel while National's candidate Melissa Lee has emphasised affordability.
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman, who is also contesting the Mt Albert seat left vacant by former Prime Minister Helen Clark, has slammed the notion of "hammering a motorway through the heart of a residential area".
Auckland's mayor had agreed the tunnelling option would not work because three lanes are needed each way, not two.
For more information visit the NZ Transport Agency Website.
What do you think about the government's decision? How will it affect you? Share your thoughts on the message board below:
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentAl1979 said on 2009-05-14 @ 02:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
The only justification for an extravagent tunnel through Mt Albert is that this was Helen Clark's electorate. The government has made the right decision.
OneVoice said on 2009-05-13 @ 23:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
The recommended option seems the most cost effective with minimum impact on local environment and communities. With the completion of the Mt Roskill section of the motoway the local environment has been hugely improved. Check out the new cycle and walkways with street lights, ponds, carparks, landscaping and noise barriers around Keith Hay Park and beyond that are being enjoyed by local residents. I expect the same to happen along the proposed new sections of the motorway.
OneVoice said on 2009-05-13 @ 22:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is an indictment on our central and local political systems that it took fifty years for the Western Ring Road project to get this far. How many times have we seen this project being used for politiking at local government election time and then filed away in the bottom drawer after local elections. Auckland and New Zealand have been held back long enough. Lets get on with it. Residents affected must be adequately compensated though.
jessehawkeswood said on 2009-05-13 @ 22:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
So sad does the government have no feelings for the peoples house and lives there ruining. No they don't. John Keys just doing it there because Helen Clark lived there and that area is labour supporters. Why don't they go build it in Parnell where John Keys house is and see if he likes it when this house gets demolished.
Grogyan said on 2009-05-13 @ 17:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
You realize that posting a messag here will not likely be read by TVNZ staff, and I have already sent them an email directly. While the country looks on and says, yes! a cheaper option, they fail to understand all the complexities of the local area that will undoubtedly be destroyed and NEVER rebuilt. I have lived in Waterview all my life, and we have amongst other things, THE ONLY natural waterfall in central Auckland district, which is relatively clean.