The state of Auckland Transport—CRL dreams closer
As the Prime Minister made his State of the Nation speech, Auckland infrastructure came out on top with transport being the biggest winners. Prime Minister John Key has outlined the government’s plan to kick-start the next generation of major Auckland transport projects, including the City Rail Link, and to accelerate a trio of State Highway projects. Mr Key said the government is backing Auckland to succeed by advancing crucial transport infrastructure projects.
“There is a next generation of major projects that is going to be required to develop and improve transport in Auckland for the benefit of the city and the country,” said Mr Key. This will go a long way in strengthening the competitiveness of Auckland and entering it in the league of other dynamic cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Time to get on with the job said Chairman, Auckland Transport. The Prime Ministers announcement on extra Government funding for major projects is the catalyst for transformational change in the region, says Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy.
The Prime Minister has confirmed a Government contribution to the City Rail Link project as well as a commitment of extra funding to accelerate work on the East-West road link (between the Southern and South Western Motorways) and the Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).
In addition the Prime Minister announced that a preferred alignment for a tunnel under the WaitemataHarbour would be confirmed by the end of the year.
Dr Levy says the announcements signal a new era for transport and economic growth in Auckland.
“Some of these projects have been on the books for decades but the stumbling block has always been funding,” he says. “And as time marches on the problems of congestion just get worse and worse.”
“Now we can at last set our sights firmly on building our way out of the daily transport frustrations of thousands of Aucklanders and the very real economic and social costs that come with that.”
Dr Levy says that investing in a combination of public transport and roading projects, as well as a focus on other modes such as walking and cycling, is critical.
“It is not one or the other; public transport is the game changer as far as Auckland transport is concerned but it can only work if the roading and motorway networks are functioning effectively and efficiently as well,” he says.
“That is why the projects announced today cannot be seen in isolation. They are a package of initiatives which together will see the transformational change needed in Auckland.”
“And as well as the transport benefits, many thousands of jobs will be created in the construction of these projects over a number of years.”
“As chairman of Auckland Transport I am also committed to ensuring that we fully maximise existing infrastructure as we plan, build and accelerate new projects. In tandem we can achieve outcomes for Auckland that people just don’t believe are possible now.”
Mayor Len Brown has also warmly welcomed the government’s announcement providing support for the City Rail Link (CRL).
“Since the government announced its support for the City Rail Link (CRL) back in 2012, I have been asking the government to provide certainty over the funding. That is what we needed and that is what the government has delivered today.
“To reach our vision of Auckland being the world’s most liveable city, we need this to happen. Aucklanders have been waiting for the CRL for decades and it’s been my number one priority since my first Auckland Council mayoral campaign.”
“I have long championed the City Rail Link project because it will be transformational, not only to keep Auckland moving but also to boost the city’s economic and social life. Its benefits will be felt across Auckland as well as building a great heart in the central city. Today’s guarantee of completion of the link in 2022 is excellent news.”
Len Brown says government support for Auckland infrastructure projects will help Auckland cope with its growth as the engine room on the New Zealand economy. Auckland’s population is growing at three per cent a year or more than 800 new people a week and, over the past two years, Auckland’s economy has been growing at an extra $3 billion a year.
Work on the CRL began just before Christmas in Albert Street where infrastructure is being moved to make way for the new rail tunnel.
Auckland Transport figures show that last year, rail patronage increased 22.9% or 2.9 million trips to total 15.4 million trips. At current growth rates, the patronage target of 20 million trips per year, set by the government for funding of the CRL will be achieved at the end of this year, three years ahead of schedule.
As the Prime Minister made his State of the Nation speech, Auckland infrastructure came out on top with transport being the biggest winners. Prime Minister John Key has outlined the government’s plan to kick-start the next generation of major Auckland transport projects, including the City Rail...
As the Prime Minister made his State of the Nation speech, Auckland infrastructure came out on top with transport being the biggest winners. Prime Minister John Key has outlined the government’s plan to kick-start the next generation of major Auckland transport projects, including the City Rail Link, and to accelerate a trio of State Highway projects. Mr Key said the government is backing Auckland to succeed by advancing crucial transport infrastructure projects.
“There is a next generation of major projects that is going to be required to develop and improve transport in Auckland for the benefit of the city and the country,” said Mr Key. This will go a long way in strengthening the competitiveness of Auckland and entering it in the league of other dynamic cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Time to get on with the job said Chairman, Auckland Transport. The Prime Ministers announcement on extra Government funding for major projects is the catalyst for transformational change in the region, says Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy.
The Prime Minister has confirmed a Government contribution to the City Rail Link project as well as a commitment of extra funding to accelerate work on the East-West road link (between the Southern and South Western Motorways) and the Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).
In addition the Prime Minister announced that a preferred alignment for a tunnel under the WaitemataHarbour would be confirmed by the end of the year.
Dr Levy says the announcements signal a new era for transport and economic growth in Auckland.
“Some of these projects have been on the books for decades but the stumbling block has always been funding,” he says. “And as time marches on the problems of congestion just get worse and worse.”
“Now we can at last set our sights firmly on building our way out of the daily transport frustrations of thousands of Aucklanders and the very real economic and social costs that come with that.”
Dr Levy says that investing in a combination of public transport and roading projects, as well as a focus on other modes such as walking and cycling, is critical.
“It is not one or the other; public transport is the game changer as far as Auckland transport is concerned but it can only work if the roading and motorway networks are functioning effectively and efficiently as well,” he says.
“That is why the projects announced today cannot be seen in isolation. They are a package of initiatives which together will see the transformational change needed in Auckland.”
“And as well as the transport benefits, many thousands of jobs will be created in the construction of these projects over a number of years.”
“As chairman of Auckland Transport I am also committed to ensuring that we fully maximise existing infrastructure as we plan, build and accelerate new projects. In tandem we can achieve outcomes for Auckland that people just don’t believe are possible now.”
Mayor Len Brown has also warmly welcomed the government’s announcement providing support for the City Rail Link (CRL).
“Since the government announced its support for the City Rail Link (CRL) back in 2012, I have been asking the government to provide certainty over the funding. That is what we needed and that is what the government has delivered today.
“To reach our vision of Auckland being the world’s most liveable city, we need this to happen. Aucklanders have been waiting for the CRL for decades and it’s been my number one priority since my first Auckland Council mayoral campaign.”
“I have long championed the City Rail Link project because it will be transformational, not only to keep Auckland moving but also to boost the city’s economic and social life. Its benefits will be felt across Auckland as well as building a great heart in the central city. Today’s guarantee of completion of the link in 2022 is excellent news.”
Len Brown says government support for Auckland infrastructure projects will help Auckland cope with its growth as the engine room on the New Zealand economy. Auckland’s population is growing at three per cent a year or more than 800 new people a week and, over the past two years, Auckland’s economy has been growing at an extra $3 billion a year.
Work on the CRL began just before Christmas in Albert Street where infrastructure is being moved to make way for the new rail tunnel.
Auckland Transport figures show that last year, rail patronage increased 22.9% or 2.9 million trips to total 15.4 million trips. At current growth rates, the patronage target of 20 million trips per year, set by the government for funding of the CRL will be achieved at the end of this year, three years ahead of schedule.
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