Applicant
NZ Transport Agency
Purpose
To seek the Board's approval for funding the Investigation of the NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) Constellation to Silverdale project in Auckland region
Date of decision
25 September 2009
Resolutions
The NZ Transport Agency Board:
- supports the concept of an extension of the Northern Busway to Silverdale/Orewa, subject to further analysis, which will form part of the Investigation phases of the project and subsequent endorsement of a strategic option;
- approves funding for the investigation of the NZ Transport Agency's Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) Constellation to Silverdale project, at an estimated cost of $4.76 million from N funds, subject to:
- the investigation considering all feasible options to meet the requirements of section 20 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003; and
- a hold point at the determination of the macroscope, prior to lodging of the Notice of Requirement, to enable the Board's consideration and endorsement of the preferred option;
- requests the Chief Executive to extend the existing Heads of Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for development of the Busway with North Shore City, Rodney District and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), to facilitate the NOR and subsequent processes and to participate as funding partners;
- notes that the project is very long term and would be constructed over many years in at least six distinct stages;
- notes that the construction cost for the Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) is estimated at around $800 million
- notes the reasons for this decision are as set out in the Reasons for recommendation section; and
- agrees to take Board paper 09⁄06⁄0258 out of Committee when the Board has published the notice of decision.
Reason for the decision
The assessment profile for this activity has been determined as being of high strategic fit, high effectiveness and low efficiency.
The project will contribute mainly to the LTMA objective of assisting economic development by reducing congestion on the Northern Motorway, thereby impacting positively on trip time and reliability for commercial and business travellers. The NBE also assists with access and mobility for those who do not have vehicles, and assists public health through reducing emissions associated with severe congestion. Public transport buses are proven to be a much safer travel mode than the private car, which assists with the LTMA safety objective.
There are few negative impacts from the NBE apart from the potentially high total cost of the project depending on the final option chosen and the potential disruption to traffic during construction, which will be mitigated by site access, protection, and traffic management.
We confirm that the matters in sections 20(2) and 20(5) of the LTMA have been satisfied and that the matters in section 20(3) have been taken into account.
If you would like details of how the assessment profile for this activity was determined, please email us at boardsecretariat@nzta.govt.nz.
