Kick-starting Auckland Transport Projects

John Key Prime Minister

Kick-starting Auckland Transport Projects

John Key PR: PM signals next generation of Auckland transport
John Key Speech: Backing Auckland
Graphic: Projects map

The Government plans to kick-start the next generation of major Auckland transport projects. These projects are required to develop and improve transport in Auckland for the benefit of the city and the country.

These major projects are:

  • The City Rail Link.
  • The second Waitemata Harbour crossing.
  • The combined Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) and East-West Link.

These projects are identified as the highest transport priorities in the Council’s Auckland Plan. They will cost around $10 billion and need to be planned for over a long period of time.

The Government also intends to accelerate three State Highway projects in the Auckland region to address congestion, capitalise on the benefits of the Western Ring Route, and improve access to the airport.

These are:

  • Completing a motorway-to-motorway link between the Upper Harbour Highway and the Northern Motorway at Constellation Drive.
  • Widening the Southern Motorway between Manukau and Papakura,
  • Upgrading State Highway 20A link to the airport to motorway standard.

The Government’s direction on transport in Auckland is clear – we want to accelerate vitally-needed projects and get on with the job.

The City Rail Link

The Government is committing to a joint business plan for the City Rail Link with Auckland Council in 2017 and providing its share of funding for a construction start in 2020.

The Government will consider an earlier start date if it becomes clear that Auckland’s CBD employment and rail patronage growth hit thresholds faster than current rates of growth suggest.

The second Waitemata Harbour Crossing

The New Zealand Transport Agency is moving to confirm the preferred alignment and protect the anticipated route by December this year.
The Government agrees with the Auckland Council that the next crossing should be a tunnel.  A new harbour crossing is likely to be needed between 2025 and 2030.

The Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) and East-West Link project

The Government is seeking advice on which elements can be accelerated and how funding can best be targeted.
The area between Onehunga, Mt Wellington, and East Tamaki is home to a number of industrial and logistics businesses that make a critical contribution to the Auckland and national economy.  Many people are employed in the area and there is considerable growth potential, but the transport links in and out are not up to the job.

Other State Highway Projects

  • Complete a motorway-to-motorway link between the Upper Harbour Highway and the Northern Motorway at Constellation Drive,
  • Widen the Southern Motorway between Manukau and Papakura,
  • Upgrade State Highway 20A link to the airport to motorway standard.

Under current funding assumptions, a start to construction on these projects may be up to 10 years away. The Government is not prepared to wait that long.
The Government has asked the NZ Transport Agency for advice on how to bring forward the construction start dates for these projects. The Government will be providing additional funding to enable this to happen.