Wellington's extra Mt Victoria tunnel to favour public transport, cyclists and pedestrians
Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Motorists expecting Wellington's extra Mt Victoria tunnel to fix their traffic congestion woes might need to think again.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford has revealed the additional tunnel, proposed to ease congestion at the State Highway 1 chokepoint, would be prioritised for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians - rather than private vehicles.
The $700 million tunnel was announced recently as part of the $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving programme, aimed at fixing traffic congestion between Wellington Airport and the Ngauranga Gorge.
In response to a written question from Wellington-based National List MP Nicola Willis, asking if the duplicate tunnel would be used by cars, Twyford said the priority was to 'improve access for buses and [create] dedicated walking and cycling facilities'.
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'How that space will be used will be determined by the detailed business case.'
In a separate question, Willis asked Twyford which projects in the Let's Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) programme would be used directly by cars.
Twyford said those projects were a new road at the Basin Reserve, and a widened Ruahine St and Wellington Rd.
He reiterated the priority for the extra tunnel was to improve bus access and create a dedicated cycleway and walkway.
The existing Mt Victoria tunnel runs along SH1 between the Basin Reserve to the west and Ruahine St to the east, and is the main link between the eastern suburbs and the central city.
It merges from four lanes to two at the western entrance, often causing congestion.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said the extra tunnel would create four traffic lanes from the tunnel to the airport, but it was yet to be determined which vehicles would be able to use them.
'The question is: how do you make those lanes as efficient as possible for moving the maximum number of people?'
Additional lanes could be reserved for buses, car pool lanes, or both, Genter said.
LGWM programme director Barry Mein confirmed the new tunnel would not be for cars only.
He confirmed car pool lanes were being considered.
Willis said the plans were disappointing and exposed the Government's 'anti-car bias'.
'Let's get real. People stuck in traffic trying to get across town need the extra Mt Victoria tunnel.
It's a major chokepoint and people want it resolved.'
Bus users travelling between the eastern suburbs and central Wellington were already serviced by the Mt Victoria bus tunnel, Willis said.
Twyford said the Government was taking a balanced approach to Wellington's transport network, rather than investing in 'a few handpicked highways'.
'Nicola Willis' party threatened to cut off transport funding to Wellington if the council didn't go with their plan for a giant concrete flyover at the Basin Reserve while they were in government.
'It's a shame National is now opposing a comprehensive plan that they kicked off, is supported throughout the region, and will ease congestion in our capital city.'
No decisions had been made on the layout of the new tunnel, Twyford said.