Tizard 'opens' bus lane extension with fanfare

It must be election year when a Government minister cuts a ribbon to declare open a 270m strip of tarmac on Auckland's over-burdened motorway network.

But when the infrastructure in question is an extension to a bus lane through such a strategic link as the Fanshawe St off-ramp from the Northern Motorway, Minister for Auckland Issues Judith Tizard is unapologetic.

Ms Tizard, resplendent in bright red hard-hat and matching shoes, said yesterday was "momentous" for both public transport and roading in Auckland with an increase in North Shore bus services and a new exit open from the Northwestern Motorway to Nelson St.

The bus lane extension means buses now have priority over other traffic in peak hours for almost 1.6km along the full length of the St Marys Bay motorway section between the harbour bridge and Beaumont St.

It links up with an Auckland City bus lane, which is expected to run the full length of Fanshawe St by next march, after a $12 million road-widening project, which includes removal of part of the old Babbage building.