Councillors query priority, costs of planned roadway

By BERNARD ORSMAN

Regional politicians are questioning the costs of the proposed eastern highway and whether other roading projects should take priority.

Concerns are growing that Auckland and Manukau councils are pushing the eastern highway ahead of fixing Spaghetti Junction, completing the motorway link to the port and extending State Highway 20 to the Northwestern Motorway.

Auckland regional councillor Brian Smith yesterday said the eastern highway proposal had come out of left field. Another ARC councillor, Mike Lee, said the proposal lacked credibility until there was a rigorous assessment of the environmental and social costs.

They were speaking at a briefing to councillors by the Eastdor consortium of consultants, which has come up with a broad strategy for a six-lane road and busway along the eastern corridor.

More detailed work, including an environmental impact report, is due to start next month.

Mr Smith criticised the councils for not going through the regional land transport strategy.

The strategy, agreed by all local authorities in the region, lists priorities for a 10-year roading programme costing $3.3 billion.

The Minister for Auckland Issues, Judith Tizard, last week said she was not opposed to the eastern highway but other projects in the regional land transport strategy should take priority.

The Auckland Regional Council is reviewing the strategy. The review does not list the eastern highway among 13 "key projects" for an early start.

Auckland and Manukau cities are still working out how to push the eastern highway further up the priority list.

As well as regional concerns, the Herald understands there are concerns in Wellington political circles about the affordability of building the eastern corridor when the funding agency Transfund will be hard pressed paying for projects such as the link to the port ($78 million), Spaghetti Junction ($174 million), State Highway 20 Mt Roskill extension ($158 million), State Highway 20 Avondale extension ($707 million) and the upper harbour motorway ($249 million).

Transfund has boosted its budget for new roads in Auckland this year to $177.5 million, rising to $215 million over the next five years.

Toll roads using private-sector finance are expected to contribute some of the costs of the State Highway 20 Avondale extension and the eastern highway.

However, when all options are explored there is likely to be a shortage of funds over the next four years.

Further reading:
Feature: Getting Auckland moving

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