Posted on 21-7-2004

Modified Eastern Transport Corridor
From ACC, 21-7-04

Ed. That the Eastern Motorway is "now a credible project" is not a
credible statement. The press release below shows how far the two Mayors
are bending to kiss...

........press release follows............

The Eastern Transport Corridor (ETC) project has been modified to a
credible development that can be staged, be substantially financed by
private sector finance (PPP) and will create economic value far beyond its
cost, the mayors of Auckland and Manukau cities, Hon John Banks and Sir
Barry Curtis, said in a joint statement.

Both mayors are encouraging the Auckland Regional Council to give greater
urgency to upgrading commuter rail infrastructure and services in the
Eastern Transport Corridor.

Reporting progress following today’s meeting of the Eastern Transport
Corridor Steering Group, the mayors said the next formal announcements
from the project partners will cover progress on staging, property
acquisition and funding issues.

Earlier this month Auckland City agreed to a modified project along a
route that follows the already largely designated alignment, including
crossing Hobson Bay without bus lanes and maximising the potential of the
existing rail line.

The Manukau City Council is scheduled to confirm its preferred route
options at a meeting on 29 July.

Immediately following the Manukau Council meeting, the two mayors will
send a letter to property owners that follows up earlier communication.
The letter will provide details of the routes that the cities have
discarded and confirm the decisions taken for moving the project to its
next stage.

Both mayors today reconfirmed the importance of the two cities working
together to relieve traffic congestion in all the suburbs of east Auckland
by building a viable roading network and encouraging affordable rail
services.

On staging the project, the mayors indicated that the next phase of work
will likely involve each city taking a lead role on a specific component
of the corridor’s development, and in particular:
 firming up options relating to Te Rakau Drive for public
transport improvements and/or motorists linked with further investigation
of the Allen’s Road route as already proposed to Manukau City
 improving the Reeves Road intersection and Pakuranga/Panmure
Bridge sections and linking to new roading north towards Tainui and St
Johns
 firming up options for roading improvements between Mt
Wellington/ St Johns and ultimately across Hobson Bay to link into the
central city at Tamaki Drive
 accelerating improvements to the existing rail line
infrastructure and services between Britomart and Panmure, linked with
improved local bus services in the eastern suburbs.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of giving residents certainty
about our determination to improve transport infrastructure and services
for people and businesses in the eastern suburbs,” said the two mayors.

“Regardless of the October local government election, we strongly believe
the overwhelming majority of citizens want improved access to and around
the Glenn Innes – Panmure area. We are getting on with it.”

On property acquisition, the mayors noted that because the project had
been modified, especially in the Auckland City section, considerably less
land would require to be purchased. Much of the currently designated
sections comprise land already owned either by Auckland City or Transit.

To avoid future costs associated with possible development of land needed
for the project, the steering group today recommended that Auckland City
specify a land purchase funding strategy for the project, including an
allocation for priority land purchases in the current year.

On funding, the mayors reported that feedback from a recent visit to
Sydney to assess the potential for private sector investment in the
project had been very positive.

“We are committed to attracting the private sector to take a key role in
the project,” they said.

A work programme confirming staging, funding including private sector
participation, route protection and land acquisition is on track for
reporting to the August Steering Group meeting.