Demolition kicks off motorway project

Work has begun to demolish 96 houses to make way for the Waterview Rd motorway extension in Auckland. Photo / Doug Sherring

Houses in the path of a $1.6 billion motorway stand no chance.

Work has begun to remove 96 homes for the Waterview motorway project in Auckland.

New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Ewart Barnsley said preparations are underway at each end of the 4.5km link, which will connect State Highways 20 and 16 to complete a ring around the city by 2016.

It will continue until Christmas, after which construction on the six-lane motorway will begin.

However, the sight was disappointing for those opposed to the project.

Living Communities chairman Phil Chase, whose group took the agency to the Environment Court and to a board of inquiry hearing, said it was sad the community had to put up with so much disruption "just to give people another four lanes of motorway".