KEY POINTS:
Public transport campaigners are pleased Transit NZ has been told to redesign its Onehunga motorway interchange to safeguard future rapid transit links to the airport.
However, they are concerned about the practicalities of the rejig.
The surprise call to redo the interchange is among recommendations from Auckland City Council commissioners over Transit's $330 million bid to duplicate its Manukau Harbour crossing and to widen the rest of the 5km motorway stretch between Mangere and Hillsborough.
Commissioners Les Simmons and city councillor Leila Boyle approved the application in general, but refused to endorse a proposal for an elevated interchange above Gloucester Park and its Hopua volcanic crater.
They want Transit to upgrade its existing ground-level interchange and straighten it at the eastern end.
This would provide a more direct route and allow northbound traffic to bypass the Onehunga town centre.
It would also enhance the crater as a distinctive volcanic feature.
They have also called for the interchange to be redesigned to ensure rapid transit vehicles - whether buses or trains - can join the harbour crossing via the interchange to get to and from the airport.
Transit does not have to follow their recommendations, but says it is unwilling to face appeals to the Environment Court which would lead to it missing its target of completing the bridge duplication in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The redesign call was welcomed by the Campaign for Better Transport, which said Transit had given no consideration to how access could be gained to the proposed new Onehunga railway station by residents on either side of the harbour.
Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee said he had been assured by Transit that the new motorway bridge would be built with the capability of adding a rail link to the airport if transport authorities agreed to provide more funds.
