Motorway toll to last 30 years

The Cabinet will today approve the construction of a tolled state highway between Orewa and Puhoi, which will cost motorists about $2 for the 7.5km journey for the next 30 years.

Another proposal to double the size of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge is the next project likely to get Government approval for a toll.

Approval for the Puhoi highway is the first under the Land Transport Management Act 2003, which set out the grounds for approval.

The road is expected to reduce travelling time and traffic congestion round Orewa and Silverdale.

News of the imminent approval was inadvertently revealed by Finance Minister Michael Cullen during a workshop at the weekend Labour conference, when he questioned aloud whether it had yet been announced.

Party president and Transit New Zealand board member Mike Williams reminded him firmly it had not, but it was too late. It has been approved by a Cabinet committee but not yet the full Cabinet.

Transport Minister Pete Hodgson later told the Herald the road to Puhoi met the two prerequisites: an alternative route was available and there was a high level of support in the community for it.

"So then the question is simply, 'Do we want to toll Alpurt and build it now?' or not toll it and build it in 10 years' time?"

Alpurt B2 is the name Transit gives to the proposal - being the final part of the Albany to Puhoi motorway, which at present finishes abruptly on the outskirts of Orewa and takes traffic through the town.

Mr Hodgson said it was estimated the toll would be on for 30 years but that would depend on final costs.

"The idea was to collect a more modest toll over a longer period of time rather than a punitive toll over a short period of time."

The new road will receive State Highway 1 status.

According to Transit's own literature, the route crosses "ecologically significant and environmentally sensitive areas".

The tolling system will probably include electronic equipment that means cars fitted with the right devices will not have to stop at toll gates but be invoiced later.

Mr Hodgson said the Government was also "open for business" on public-private partnerships for roading, as allowed for under the same legislation, but there were no firm proposals yet.

"So far there is private sector talk. There are quite a lot of people talking about the fact they may want to invest.

"But I judge it to be at really early days."

The chairman of the Waiwera Valley Association, William de Hamel, said that while there was a high degree of support for the proposed motorway, tolling was not supported in his community.

Rodney Mayor John Law said a lot of people did not want a toll road, they would rather have it than have to wait 14 years for an untolled road to be finished.

Paying for paving

* The 7.5km highway from Orewa, running as far as Titford's Bridge near Puhoi, will include five bridges, including one across the Waiwera estuary, and twin tunnels through Johnson's Hill.

* It is estimated to cost at least $330 million.

* The road will take four years to complete.