Spanner in Transit works

The Auckland Regional Council has thrown a spanner at Transit NZ's preference for a $1 billion motorway extension through Waterview rather than the Rosebank Peninsula.

Although Transit has conditional support from the Auckland and Waitakere City Councils for the shorter and cheaper Waterview route for its Avondale motorway extension, the regional body yesterday backed Rosebank as a superior strategic roading link.

"The Rosebank option provides a more direct western connection to SH16 [Northwestern Motorway] and will therefore be a superior choice in the long term - it also removes more traffic from local roads," said transport policy committee chairman Joel Cayford.

Transit northern manager Richard Hancy said the agency was prepared to work with the regional council over its concerns, but remained confident of lodging a notice of requirement for land along the Waterview route by July, for construction to start in 2009.

Transit believes a road toll will be needed to repay loans of $860 million it says are needed to complete the 35km ring route between Manukau and Albany. A tolling announcement may be made on Friday, when the Government releases a hefty report on whether Aucklanders should also be charged to use inner-city roads to reduce congestion and raise more money for public transport alternatives.