transport
Where is the East in the East-West Link? On 28 June 2013 Prime Minister John Key announced the Government wanted to speed up the combined AMETI and East-West Link project. “The area between Onehunga, Mt Wellington and East Tamaki is home to a number of industrial and logistics businesses that make a critical contribution to the Auckland and national economy. Many people are employed in the area and there’s considerable growth potential, but the transport links in and out are not up to the job,” said Mr Key. At the time of going to print, Auckland Transport’s website stated: • The focus of work moving forward on the East-West Link programme will be on improving access for freight to and from the state highways in the OnehungaPenrose industrial area. • No new major road links will be progressed on the south side of the Manukau Harbour between SH1 and SH20 for at least the next decade.
What has happened to the connectivity to East Tamaki? The original mandate was to enable easier freight movements between Onehunga, Mt Wellington and East Tamaki. Four options were circulated for consultation. Each of the options included linkages to East Tamaki via AMETI and/or the Highbrook interchange. GETBA held an information session on 7 August 2013 with Auckland Transport speakers and Chris Carr, Roading Spokesperson for National Road Carriers, and made recommendations. The south side of the Manukau Harbour was not one of them. However the need to connect to East Tamaki via Highbrook and AMETI was. GETBA has major concerns at the apparent reduction in the project scope. Yes, there is a need to address, even prioritise, reducing congestion in the Onehunga-Penrose area. However, in the words of Michael Barnett, Chairman of the transport lobby consortium, the Auckland Business Forum, “A partial solution is not acceptable”. Piecemeal solutions are notorious for not delivering over time. There is a need for the full project to be scoped; the ultimate desired outcome to be identified and consulted upon before work commences; and agreed solutions implemented as one rolling project. Be assured we will continue to lobby for the need to connect to AMETI and Highbrook as part of this project - specifically, the upgrade of the Highbrook motorway interchange and Highbrook Drive for freight, and the link with the extension of Gossamer Drive. Without this section it can hardly be called an East-West Link! Contact Jane Tongatule, GETBA General Manager, Ph 09 273 6274
Do you have staff interested in carpooling? Thursday April 10
On , from 10.00am till 2.00pm, at The Crossing in Highbrook, Auckland Transport staff will share information on the benefits of carpooling, how it works, and taking registrations of interest.
5.30pm
Then at at Lighthorse Bar and Kitchen, there is the opportunity to meet other East Tamaki employees interested in carpooling, and learn how to use the Let’s Carpool website. For more information please contact our Project Manager Troy Greenfield – project@getba.org.nz
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