$80m roads project to lure trucks away

By SCOTT MacLEOD transport reporter

Cycling and walking on Auckland's waterfront is expected to become safer with new roading that has just won funding approval.

Transfund NZ has agreed in principle to give $80 million for the first stage of a major project of bridge and road works giving better links from Grafton Rd, Wellesley St and Stanley St to the port.

Stanley St may be widened to four lanes during the first stage.

Transit NZ hopes the works will cut the number of heavy vehicles trickling into the central city through Wellesley St and boost road links with the central business district.

The general manager (land transport) of Beca Carter, Brent Meekan, said cyclist and pedestrian safety would improve on the waterfront if the finished works lured trucks away from the area.

Work is expected to start in 15 months and finish in three years. Half of the $80 million will be spent on road works, and the rest on buying land.

Transit NZ is yet to win approval for another phase of the roadworks, in which a trenched motorway will link the Grafton area with the port.

Ports of Auckland public affairs group manager Karren Beanland said the road had been needed for years, and the progress was welcome.

She said the current intersection between Stanley St and The Strand was a dog-leg that slowed truck movements. Some truckies had opted to drive through the eastern suburbs, which irked residents.

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