Government announces $182 million investment in Auckland transport projects

Saturday, 18 July 2020

An artist's impression of the $60 million Puhinui Station Interchange which is expected to open next year, connecting trains to a bus link to Auckland Airport.

About 800 jobs are set to be created through four transport projects the Government is investing in, it has been announced.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter announced on Saturday details of Auckland transport projects which they say will help the region’s economic recovery.

An $182 million investment was pledged for four transport projects, which protects about 200 jobs on the two projects already under way.

The four projects are the Puhinui Interchange and Stage One of the Ferry Basin Redevelopment - both already under construction - improvements to the North Western Motorway, and a new $37 million walking and cycling path connecting New Lynn and Te Atatū in West Auckland.

* The plan to jump-start faster bus services to West Auckland

* Plans for 'pop-up' busway on Auckland's northwestern motorway

The announcement also frees up $98 million in Auckland Council’s Emergency Budget to be re-invested in other infrastructure projects, a statement said.

Twyford said it was a balanced transport package that reflected the need to invest in ‘shovel ready’ projects and create a pipeline of work.

“By investing in the under construction Puhinui Interchange and Stage One of the Ferry Basin Redevelopment project, we are protecting jobs and making sure these important projects can continue.'

Auckland's Inner Link bus route has a new electric bus as part of its fleet (Video March 2019).

Both of those projects were expected to be completed in 2021.

Two West Auckland projects had also received the green light, with $100 million worth of improvements scheduled for the North Western Motorway to allow faster and more frequent bus services, and a new $37 million shared path alongside the Whau River connecting New Lynn and Te Atatū.

The Northwestern Bus Improvements could mean up to 35 minutes saved on a bus trip from Westgate into the city, Twyford said.

“These two projects still need detailed design and consenting work, and we expect construction to begin next year.

“This helps to create a pipeline of projects to support the construction sector and create jobs over time,” Twyford said.

Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter said the projects would help create a safer, healthier, and more accessible city.

“By investing in public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure, not only are we helping people leave the car at home, we are reducing emissions and tackling climate change,” Genter said.

The Northwestern Bus Improvements involved a range of short-term works, which includes new bus interchanges at Te Atatū Rd, Lincoln Rd and Westgate, local bus stop improvements, and bus priority at motorway interchanges and along motorway shoulders.

Auckland Transport was upgrading Puhinui Station to become a major bus and train interchange and alongside the upgrade of State Highway 20B, it would create a 10-minute bus service to the airport.

The Ferry Basin Redevelopment is creating six new berths on the west side of Queens Wharf to deliver a world-class facility, improving accessibility and accommodating increasing passenger numbers.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomed the announcement, saying the projects would create “lasting and valuable assets for Auckland”.

“There is no better time to invest in projects like these than now, when we need to stimulate the economy to get out of the Covid-19 recession and to create jobs.

“Combined the new projects create around 800 new jobs in Auckland. They will also secure an additional 200 jobs because of the certainty this pipeline of work creates for the construction industry.

“This will also support housing intensification in key growth areas of our city like Auckland’s northwest, and open up more transport options to the growing employment and commercial precinct in the south.”