$10b Auckland growth transport networks unveiled

Thursday, 11 July 2019

Light rail could extend to Kumeu with a rapid transit route identified for future decades

The route of a new highway by-pass, rapid transit corridors and major transport upgrades have been revealed in a $10 billion plan to cope with Auckland's long-term growth.

Many of the projects are 10 to 30 years away and are unfunded, but an alliance between Auckland Council and the Government will work on the plans for the north, north-west, south and around Warkworth.

Huapai on SH16 is in the area covered by the plans.

The Supporting Growth Alliance said the plans focussed on the areas forecast to accommodate 130,000 new homes and provide 76,000 new jobs over the next 30 years.

'Aucklanders have told us they're looking for more public transport, walking and cycling connections and they're integral in our long term planning,' said Shane Ellison, the CEO of Auckland Transport.

An aerial view of the new Milldale sub-division

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The latest map released for the Northwest shows for the first time an indicative route for a new highway section by-passing Kumeu and Huapai, as well as future rapid transit and cycling routes.

All three start from the existing roundabout at the end of the northwestern motorway and Brigham Creek Road, with the highway by-pass looping west of Puke Road to rejoin SH16 near Waimauku.

The rapid transit and cycling routes go west and then follow the existing rail line into Kumeu and Huapai.

The alliance begins individual meetings next week with landowners affected by the indicative by-pass route, but a detailed path is yet to be determined and is not expected to begin construction for 10 to 30 years.

In the south, many of the plans are already known including rail line upgrades between Papakura and Pukekohe and three new train stations in proposed developments at Drury and Paerata.

In the north, a rapid transit route with a cycling path is proposed north of Albany to new housing areas at Milldale, and includes the Penlink by-pass to Whangaparāoa.

'Publication of these plans will provide certainty for communities, developers, Auckland Council and other Crown agencies as they plan ahead for the development of new housing and employment areas,' said Ellison.

The Alliance said most of the projects identified in the indicative networks were expected to be constructed over the longer term, in line with the anticipated rezoning and development of land by Auckland Council.