Mayors join forces on danger highway

By CATHY ARONSON

Auckland and Waikato mayors have joined forces to pressure Transit to fast-track improvements to the dangerous Mercer to Long Swamp section of the Waikato expressway.

The 12km four-lane project on State Highway 1 was halted last year because contract bids were $20 million over budget and did not fit Transit's funding criteria.

Transit resumed construction of 2km of the state highway last month but has not confirmed if the rest will be completed.

The stretch of highway is one of the most lethal in the country. Thirty-five people have died on it in the past 10 years.

Most of the crashes were head-on collisions.

Auckland's mayors and the Auckland Regional Council have signed a submission that the state highway was a roading priority for both regions and should go ahead immediately.

The submission was presented by Franklin District Council mayor Heather Maloney.

Mrs Maloney said her council, which borders the Waikato, had sought support for the state highway for years.

She said it was unique for Auckland to support a project outside its region.

"It might not be in their legal boundary but it has a huge effect on their economy and it is within their interests to see it fixed."

Auckland's support adds weight to the Waikato's growing campaign to get the project finished.

Transport Minister Mark Gosche met Waikato mayors at a regional transport committee at the Waikato Regional Council, Environment Waikato, on Monday.

Council chairman Neil Clarke said the road was the highest priority for the region's motorists.

He told Mr Gosche delays in building the road would mean $13 million a year in direct costs, including compliance and monitoring of the stalled section.

"This does not include any lost opportunity to speed up economic growth in the region.

"But more importantly we don't want to see any more deaths and we need that money now to get the job done."

Mr Gosche said he was aware of the strong demand for the expressway, but the decision was in Transit's hands.

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