Auckland mayors are amplifying calls for widespread tolls around the region in response to a potential $1 billion-plus funding squeeze on the country's roading network.
Although the Government has promised to make up Transit New Zealand's $685 million share of the 10-year shortfall, to ensure state highway projects are not delayed, the agency insists it will still have to borrow $860 million to complete Auckland's western bypass by 2015.
A further $400 million of Government subsidies for local roads are also in doubt because of lower than expected fuel tax revenue and spiralling maintenance and construction costs.
Despite reaffirming the 35km bypass from Manukau to Albany as its top national priority, Transit has announced delays to two sections of the route and says its overall commitment depends on winning support from Aucklanders for tolls.
It expects to offer options for tolling for public consultation next month, and has warned in its new draft 10-year state highways forecast that completion of the bypass would be delayed "significantly" without that revenue source.
Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said yesterday that he was gravely concerned at delays announced by Transit to a 4km motorway link at his end of the route and to a 5km bypass of Hobsonville.
But although he accepted a need for an alternative revenue source, he believed setting up cordons for tolling wide urban areas was a fairer alternative than charging motorists for using a specific route.
He was also pleased Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard and his Waitakere counterpart, Bob Harvey, had joined him in calling for the region to be given the right to raise its own transport revenue from road charges.
Three contractors making bids for the $210 million Manukau link have been left in limbo by a decision to delay a construction start until the next financial year.
Transit says the project has become a casualty of a late deduction of $35 million by Land Transport New Zealand from its current annual budget.
Transit also intends delaying the Hobsonville link by three years.
Contractors' Federation chief executive Richard Michael said it would have cost road-builders more than $1 million to prepare each unopened tender for Manukau, and the interruption highlighted the inadequacy of a funding system based on fluctuating fuel sales.
Mr Hubbard said last night it would be "irresponsible" not to consider all transport funding options, including tolls, borrowing, and changing how fuel taxes are allocated.
"We need to consider sustainable funding sources that can fund the infrastructure required as well as achieving changes in travel behaviour," he said.
He urged the Government not to make up the roading shortfall from money earmarked for overdue public transport projects.
Mayors call for region to impose own tolls
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