The NZ Transport Agency has welcomed a final Board of Inquiry decision granting consents and designation for the Northern Corridor Improvements project.
The Northern Corridor Improvements will deliver benefits for motorists and public transport users by creating a new connection between the Northern Motorway (State Highway 1) and State Highway 18 as well as extending the Northern Busway to Albany.
“It’s an important link in helping to realise the full benefits of the Western Ring Route by giving people an alternative route to State Highway 1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, it will also create better transport choices through new walking and cycling paths and by extending the Northern Busway to Albany Bus Station,” says Brett Gliddon the Transport Agency’s System Design Manager.
“We have worked closely with the community and stakeholders to listen to their views as we’ve developed the design which has now been thoroughly tested through a robust and transparent Board of Inquiry process. We thank all those who shared their views in the lead up to and during the Board of Inquiry.”
A fifteen day appeal period now applies. Following this, detailed design and approvals will be progressed with Auckland Council, with the aim of construction beginning in February.
“We will continue to work closely with the community and other stakeholders as the project moves into its construction phase.”
“From February next year people will begin to notice preparation works such as road resurfacing and the installation of moveable median barriers. There will also be changes to lanes, which includes making them narrower to allow for construction work to take place safely within the existing corridor. Construction sites and fencing will also start to be established, before the main work will get underway mid-year.”
Construction of the project will be undertaken in stages over the next three years.
An inaugural community open day is being planned next month, to share more information on the project with neighbouring property owners and businesses, as well as provide recruitment information for the large numbers of design and construction field staff needed for the project.
To read the full decision visit: http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/nci/Pages/default.aspx (external link)
More information about the Northern Corridor Improvements is available on the Transport Agency’s website: www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-northern-corridor(external link)
