Major projects
Priority roading projects
Complete the Western Ring Route
Work is still required to complete the Western Ring Route. By closing up the gaps a complete alternative route to State Highway 1 becomes available.
The gaps are at Waterview, State Highway 20- State Highway 1, the Manukau Link and State Highway 18 extension.
Benefits of this route:
- increased resilience of the network, if State Highway 1 becomes inaccessible
- improved connections between the North Shore, west and south Auckland.
Target date: 2015
More information on this project is available here:
Construct the Auckland - Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI)
The Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) is a package of transport improvements in the Glen Innes - Panmure - Pakuranga - Botany corridor. The project aims to provide a high quality strategic transport link between Auckland City and Manukau City via their eastern suburbs.
This area has a general lack of viable transport choices and increasing congestion. Population growth is projected of up to 25,000 people over the next 20 years.
AMETI includes:
- land use zoning changes and an urban design approach
- providing bus lanes and other bus priority measures
- improved road network
- improved walking and cycling facilities
- travel demand measures.
AMETI will improve access and mobility for people, goods and services throughout the area. The project will have economic and social benefits, creating a corridor with the capacity for up to 40,000 jobs. It will improve connections by public transport, and the safety and efficiency of the road network.
Target date: Stage one 2020; stage two 2021-2031
More information on this project is available here:
South-west road corridor to East Tamaki
A strategic transport corridor between the Southwestern Motorway (State Highway 20) and East Tamaki is at the initial study stage. The corridor would:
- improve connections between east and west Auckland,
- provide an important link between the State Highway 1 and State Highway 20 corridors,
- provide a direct connection between the Penrose and East Tamaki industrial areas
- improve the connection between the Penrose and East Tamaki industrial areas and the port and airport.
Six route options have been identified, either via Favona or Onehunga. These options are either motorway or expressway facilities. Expressways can include bus stops, shoulder cycleways and pedestrian facilities. All the options would impact on existing urban environments and have environmental issues.
The project has been put on hold by the NZTA, to prioritise roads of national significance.
Target: Future-proof the route
More information on this project is available here:
Additional Waitemata Harbour crossing
A 2008 study into constructing an additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing confirmed a preferred option. This option includes road as well as public transport routes, in the form of driven tunnels. The alignment of the road tunnel is still being defined by the New Zealand Transport Agency, along with how much extra capacity an additional crossing would provide.
An additional crossing will boost the regional economy and employment. It will improve the network's resilience by removing reliance on the Harbour Bridge. A road-rail option offers more potential social benefits (than rail only) through broader access across the entire region.
Final decisions on the form and functions of an additional crossing are required to enable the route to be protected.
Target: The appropriate timing of construction of a road and passenger transport crossing or separate road and passenger transport crossings has still to be determined.
More information on this project is available here:
Improved airport road access
The strong growth expected in both air travel and employment around Auckland Airport will result in severe congestion in the vicinity unless improvements are made to the transport system. While construction of rail to the airport will help, additional road capacity will also be required.
There are two main state highways that provide access to the airport: George Bolt Memorial Drive (State Highway 20A) from the west, north and centre of the region, and Puhinui Road (State Highway 20B) from the east and south.
The strategy recommends providing four lanes for traffic on both highways by 2018, increasing bus services on shoulder bus lanes from 2018, and creating a Rapid Transit Network after 2032. All these projects require further investigation to confirm their feasibility, costs and benefits. Land is yet to be identified and protected.
Target date: 2010 for progress on planning State Highway 20A and Kirkbride Road upgrade, subject to funding.
More information on this project is available here:
